A humanoid robot developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor has run 100 metres in 9.32 seconds during a preparatory test in Beijing, a time faster than the human world record held by Usain Bolt.

The robot, called Lightning, reached a peak speed of 14.5 metres per second during the test ahead of the second World Humanoid Robot Games, which opened in Beijing on Saturday, according to China's state broadcaster. Reuters independently reported the same figures.

Lightning's reported time is 0.26 seconds faster than Bolt's 9.58-second men's 100-metre world record, set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin. The 9.32-second run was a robot test rather than an official human athletics record, so it does not alter the recognised athletics record.

The robot is scheduled to compete in the 100-metre, 400-metre and 1,500-metre events at the games. Beijing's official information on the competition says the 100-metre event has been upgraded to a fully autonomous race, with robots required to operate without human control.

The games are being held at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval from Aug. 22 to 26. Official figures published ahead of the event said 666 teams and 2,056 robots from 16 countries were expected to take part, across 51 events.

Lightning had already attracted attention in April when it won the Beijing E-Town humanoid robot half-marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. Reuters reported that the robot had stood 1.69 metres tall with 95-centimetre legs at the time, before researchers lengthened its legs by 10 centimetres to 1.05 metres ahead of the robot games.

The latest modifications were aimed at improving short-distance acceleration. Chinese technology reports said the development team altered the robot's leg proportions, reduced its weight through structural optimisation and upgraded the torque and response speed of its joints.

The Beijing games are designed to test humanoid robots beyond speed competitions. Official organisers have added scenario-based events in settings including factories, hotels and homes, where robots are expected to perform tasks autonomously over longer periods.

For Lightning, the next test will come in competition rather than a preparatory run, with the robot due to enter the 100-metre event as the five-day games continue through Aug. 26.