A recent incident involving a humanoid robot in a public space has raised concerns about the use of such devices in crowded areas.
The event took place near the Lok Yeung Fa Yuen residential complex in the Patane area of Macau last week. An elderly woman was startled after suddenly noticing it standing close behind her while she was using her phone.
According to authorities, the unexpected presence of the it caused panic. A video circulating online shows the woman confronting the it before 2 police officers arrived at the scene. One of the officers placed a hand on the robot’s shoulder and escorted it away, leading to jokes online that the robot had been “arrested.”
Although the woman did not suffer any physical injuries, she was taken to the hospital as a precaution and was later discharged. She did not file any complaint.
Police stated that the robot was returned to its operator, a local man in his 50s, who was advised to exercise greater caution while using such devices in public spaces. The robot was reportedly being used for promotional activities by a local education centre.
The centre later confirmed that the robot was operating under a combination of programmed instructions and remote supervision at the time of the incident. It also clarified that the situation occurred on a narrow pavement when the woman had stopped to check her phone. The robot was positioned behind her, and its lights may have contributed to her sudden reaction.
The robot involved is a humanoid model developed by Unitree Robotics and was launched in 2024. It is equipped with features such as obstacle detection, flexible movement, and depth cameras.
The incident highlights the need for careful handling of robotic systems in public environments to avoid unintended situations.
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