Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) unveiled HOUND, a four‑legged robot that was put to the test in a one‑hundred‑meter sprint. In a remarkable display of speed, HOUND completed the distance in 19.87 seconds, earning a Guinness World Record in its class. The findings were documented by KAIST and reported through a scientific institution’s website with formal documentation of the trial. [Attribution: KAIST study and press release]
Weighing in at 45 kilograms, HOUND started from a fixed origin and reached an average velocity of 18.12 kilometers per hour during the course of the run. The test conditions highlighted the robot’s acceleration profile, control stability, and energy management under short, high‑intensity bursts, offering a practical view of how the platform performs in controlled, repeatable environments. [Attribution: KAIST testing report]
The design of HOUND incorporates a planetary gearbox choice, chosen for its high power transmission efficiency. The drive modules that power the robot’s hip and knee joints were integrated into a single assembly, simplifying the mechanical layout while preserving torque characteristics and responsive control. This integration supports smoother joint actuation and potentially lower mechanical losses during rapid leg cycling. [Attribution: KAIST technical briefing]
HOUND is not the first machine to set a speed benchmark for legged robots. In 2012, the American quadruped known as Cheetah achieved a top speed of 45.5 kilometers per hour over a 20‑meter stretch, surpassing the then fastest human sprint record for that short distance. The comparison underscored how robotic systems can push beyond human limits in short bursts, even as world records in longer distances remain a human challenge. [Attribution: 2012 Cheetah sprint report]
Nevertheless, HOUND trails Usain Bolt’s legendary 100‑meter dash time of 9.58 seconds when considering the full 100 meters. The human record still stands as a horizon for roboticists, emphasizing the ongoing gap between rapid, short bursts and sustained, longer runs across different platforms. The dialogue between biology and machine design continues to drive improvements in legged locomotion, control strategies, and energy efficiency. [Attribution: Usain Bolt record context]
Meanwhile, industry developments around autonomous mobility continue to advance. Earlier demonstrations from a major technology company showcased a new version of a humanoid assistant, labeled Android Optimus in some media cycles, which reportedly weighed 10 kilograms less and demonstrated refined hand and finger dexterity. These achievements illustrate how anthropomorphic robotics are evolving to handle delicate manipulations and precise control, complementing the work on speed and gait in legged machines. [Attribution: industry demonstration]