Humanoid Robot’s Sudden Movement at Chinese Spring Festival Sparks Safety Debate
A humanoid robot startled visitors at the Chinese Spring Festival after it appeared to rush toward the audience, nearly causing an accident. The robot, developed by China's Unitree, was pre-sold online for 650,000 yuan and sold out immediately after its launch.
The incident occurred during the Chinese Central Television Spring Festival Gala, where the robot, known as H1, performed a dance. A video of the event, shared online, shows the robot standing near a safety barricade before suddenly staggering toward the audience. Security guards quickly intervened, pulling the robot back as it seemed to lose control.
The video has sparked debate on social media, with some users comparing the event to science fiction films about robots disobeying human commands. One commenter described the robot’s behaviour as "eerily human," while others suggested it was merely a mechanical malfunction or an attempt to regain balance.
H1 stands 180 cm tall and weighs 47 kg. It is equipped with high-performance motors and sensors, allowing it to perform precise movements. The robot is designed for various tasks, including work in distribution centres and factories.
Experts say the incident highlights the challenges of robotics, noting that while humanoid robots are built to maintain stability, they can make sudden movements if they lose balance. Chinese authorities confirmed that H1 passed its performance test without issues and stated that adjustments would be made to the system following the incident.
A humanoid robot at the Chinese Spring Festival appeared to rush toward visitors, causing alarm.
The robot, H1, was developed by China's Unitree and sold out immediately after its launch.
A video of the incident has sparked debate about AI robot safety and control.
Source: MAEIL BUSINESS NEWSPAPER