A humanoid robot was briefly escorted away by police in Macau after it startled a 70-year-old woman during a public street demonstration.
Local reports say the woman became frightened when the robot stopped close behind her on a narrow street. In a viral video, she turns around, notices the machine standing behind her, and begins shouting at it.
Witnesses said the woman later experienced nausea and a rapid heartbeat and was taken to a hospital for examination.
Photos circulating online show a police officer placing a hand on the robot’s shoulder while guiding it away, leading to jokes on social media that authorities had “detained” the machine.
Police later confirmed the robot was being remotely controlled as part of a public demonstration of the Unitree G1. The model previously gained attention online after dozens of the robots performed synchronized kung fu and backflips during a Chinese New Year broadcast.
After checking the device and speaking with its operator, police returned the robot to its owner and advised greater caution when operating such machines in crowded public areas.
Humanoid robots like the G1 have increasingly appeared in demonstrations and viral videos as companies develop machines intended to assist with everyday tasks such as household chores and companionship.