Chinese Humanoid Robot Becomes the Fastest in the World with Help from Sneakers
The STAR1 humanoid robot, developed by Robot Era, set a new speed record of over 8 mph (3.6 m/s) with the assistance of sneakers. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 143 pounds, STAR1 outpaced Unitree’s H1 robot, which previously held the record at 7.4 mph. Powered by high-torque motors and AI with 275 TOPS processing power, the robot navigated various terrains and maintained its top speed for 34 minutes. With 12 degrees of freedom, STAR1 demonstrated advanced mobility and agility.
A Chinese humanoid robot, STAR1, has become the fastest in the world, reaching speeds of over 8 mph (3.6 m/s) thanks to a pair of sneakers. Built by the company Robot Era, STAR1 stands at 5 feet 7 inches (171 cm) and weighs 143 pounds (65 kg). In a demonstration video, two STAR1 robots raced in the Gobi Desert, with one wearing sneakers to test if it would improve its speed. Powered by high-torque motors and advanced AI algorithms, the sneaker-wearing STAR1 handled diverse terrains, including grass, gravel, and paved roads, while maintaining its top speed for 34 minutes.
STAR1’s speed surpasses the previous record set by Unitree’s H1 robot in March 2024, which clocked in at 7.4 mph (3.3 m/s). While STAR1 was equipped with footwear, H1 did not technically jog or run, as its feet never fully left the ground during movement.
STAR1 also boasts impressive AI processing power, capable of 275 trillion operations per second (TOPS), far exceeding the 45-55 TOPS typically found in high-end laptops. With 12 degrees of freedom, the robot has a wide range of joint movements, contributing to its agility and speed.