Zhejiang University’s White Rhino, a quadruped robot developed by the Center for X-Mechanics, the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, sprinted 100 meters in just 16.33 seconds at a test site in Hangzhou, east China, smashing the previous record of 19.87 seconds set by South Korea’s Hound robot.
This achievement now holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest 100-meter time by a quadruped robot. For context, the human record—9.58 seconds—was set by Usain Bolt in 2009 in Berlin.
“This was a very demanding goal,” says Professor Wang Hongtao, project leader. “The 100-meter sprint tests explosive power, speed, stability and precise control. More importantly, it shows we are on the right research path.”
At the core of White Rhino is a “design-for-performance” philosophy called robot forward design. Instead of patchwork tweaks, researchers simulated joint and actuator dynamics across scenarios, then used multi-objective optimization to fine-tune geometry, motors and reduction systems all at once.
Powered by high-power-density joint actuators from the Center for X-Mechanics and smart motion control through reinforcement learning, White Rhino combines “racing-grade” muscle with agile reflexes. It can carry up to 100 kilograms, making it as suited for heavy-load tasks as for top-speed runs.
Looking ahead, the team envisions White Rhino aiding in disaster rescue, navigating tough terrain and transforming how robots move—proving that sprinting fast is just the start of its journey.
Reference(s):
Chinese quadruped robot sets 100m sprint Guinness World Record
cgtn.com
