A viral video circulating on multiple social media platforms shows a humanoid robot from Unitree reportedly malfunctioning and displaying erratic behavior at a festival in China, prompting immediate intervention from security personnel.
In the footage, the android appears to approach the crowd, making sudden movements that many interpreted as aggressive. However, it remains unclear whether the robot was genuinely attempting to attack or if it merely lost balance after colliding with a barricade.
Fortunately, security personnel responded swiftly, preventing the situation from escalating. Authorities stated that the malfunction was entirely unexpected, emphasizing that the robot had previously passed all tests without issues. While event organizers dismissed the incident as “a simple technical error,” the episode has reignited concerns about the potential risks of AI in public spaces.
The viral video sparked a wave of reactions across social media. On X, several users voiced concerns about AI’s rapid advancement, with one commenting, “We’re getting closer and closer to a science fiction scenario.” Meanwhile, in the r/ThatsInsane forum on Reddit, similar sentiments emerged. “This gave me chills about our future,” one user wrote, while another added, “Haven’t we seen this play out in countless movies already?”
This incident raises crucial questions: Are we truly prepared to coexist with intelligent machines in public spaces, or are these malfunctions early warning signs of the risks inherent in AI technology?