Chinese robotics startup MirrorMe Technology says it has built the fastest-running full-size humanoid robot yet.
The company said its humanoid, called Bolt, reached a peak speed of 10 metres per second during outdoor testing. Additionally, MirrorMe said Bolt is the first robot of its size to reach that speed outside controlled laboratory conditions.
Bolt stands 175 centimetres tall and weighs about 75 kilograms, roughly matching adult human proportions. Consequently, the company describes the machine as its vision of an “ideal form” humanoid built for speed and balance. MirrorMe said engineers redesigned the robot’s joints and rebuilt its power system from the ground up. Furthermore, the company said those systems aim to reproduce natural human motion while sustaining extreme velocities.
Developers said the project never focused solely on breaking speed records. Instead, the team wants to create what it calls “super-species” robots that can rival or exceed human athletic ability. The company said Bolt’s debut represents progress in locomotion control, balance management, and high-output drive systems.
Additionally, engineers said those advances allow stable movement even as stride frequency increases dramatically.
In promotional footage, founder and institute head Wang Hongtao raced Bolt on side-by-side treadmills. Meanwhile, video showed Bolt taking shorter strides than Wang but compensating with much faster leg turnover. Chinese state media reported that the robot maintained balance throughout the sprint demonstration. Consequently, the company said cadence, rather than stride length, drives Bolt’s top speed.
Read more: New AI model allows farm robots to identify and kill unfamiliar weeds instantly
Read more: Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate employs tech startup Symbolic.ai for journalism help
Startup offers several robotic platforms
MirrorMe previously gained attention with its Black Panther II robot. Last year, that machine ran 100 metres in 13.17 seconds during a televised Chinese broadcast. Additionally, MirrorMe said Black Panther II reached a peak speed of 9.7 metres per second in that race. Reports at the time suggested the performance exceeded speeds recorded by Boston Dynamics’ WildCat robot.
MirrorMe formally launched in May 2024 and operates from Shanghai. Furthermore, its core team comes largely from Zhejiang University, according to the company’s website. The startup currently offers several robotic platforms, including Baobao, Apollo, and Black Panther II. However, the firm positions Black Panther II mainly as a scientific research platform rather than a commercial product.
MirrorMe said its focus on speed began long before its formal founding. Additionally, the company said it has treated high-velocity motion as a priority since 2016. In 2025, MirrorMe set a quadruped speed record with its original Black Panther robot. Consequently, that machine exceeded 10 metres per second, according to company statements.
China has increasingly promoted robotic athletic competition in recent years. Meanwhile, Beijing hosted the first World Humanoid Robot Games last August. At that event, the Tien Kung humanoid won the 100-metre race in 21.5 seconds. Additionally, organizers framed the competition as a testbed for real-world robotic mobility.
MirrorMe now envisions Bolt as a training tool for human athletes. Furthermore, the company described the humanoid as a “steel sparring partner” capable of pushing physical limits. Developers said the long-term goal involves combining perception, balance, and raw speed in one platform.
Consequently, MirrorMe continues testing Bolt in real environments rather than staged laboratory runs. The company said future work will refine endurance, control precision, and repeated sprint performance.
.
