On the afternoon of August 17, Unitree Technology released a new machine video that drew wide attention online. The robot, named 'Superman,' has a leg length of 0.85 meters and can jump two meters high from a standstill, reaching a top speed of 12.66 meters per second — breaking through the limits of the human body.
Unitree stated that 'Superman' has surpassed global human records in both standing high jump and running speed. This entirely new robot was developed in just over three months, and there remains significant room for improvement in the coming months.
The timing of the video release coincides with the eve of Unitree's listing. According to reports, the company will also participate in the Second World Humanoid Robot Games, to be held in Beijing from August 22 to 26. The video has raised netizens' expectations.
On the same day, the A-share humanoid robot sector performed strongly, with multiple stocks hitting the daily limit. Related concept stocks in control systems, electronic skin, motors, dexterous hands, reducers and bearings also saw notable gains.
One industry analyst said the robot's performance demonstrates Unitree's technical strength in algorithms and motor modules. Achieving a two-meter jump with stable landing relies on algorithm-based balance adjustment; the motor's burst capability is also a key factor, while ensuring the battery does not overheat. Moreover, this ability to break human limits could play an important role in emergency scenarios.
Previously, Zhou Di, an expert in the Ministry of Science and Technology's national expert pool and a senior engineer, pointed out that Unitree's self-developed high-torque-density motors provide ample power for the robot's high-speed running. The dynamic balance control algorithm is also being continuously iterated and optimized, complemented by multi-sensor real-time posture feedback, enabling the robot to remain stable even during high-speed movement. A lightweight body structure further reduces energy consumption and boosts efficiency.
Zhou Di believes that researching humanoid running speed is not about pursuing speed for its own sake, but rather about enhancing dynamic balance, complex-terrain adaptability and instantaneous response precision through extreme sports testing. These core technologies are critical for entering unstructured scenarios — whether crossing obstacles in factories, navigating steps between buildings, or threading through complex terrain in emergencies — all depend on the control technology accumulated through high-speed-motion research.
