Disturbing footage of a Unitree humanoid robot going rogue reignites global concerns about the safety of advanced AI and robotics.
May 7, Beijing – A terrifying moment was caught on CCTV in a Chinese factory when a Unitree H1 humanoid robot malfunctioned and lashed out at nearby workers during a testing session, prompting fresh fears about the dangers of artificial intelligence and autonomous machines.
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The viral video, shared widely across social media platforms, shows the robot, suspended from a construction crane, undergoing tests when it suddenly goes berserk. Without warning, the robot begins violently flailing its limbs, knocking over computers and other equipment as two engineers scramble to regain control.
One of the handlers is seen quickly repositioning the robot’s stand in a desperate attempt to stabilize the machine, while items crash to the floor around them. The entire incident unfolded like a scene from a sci-fi thriller, drawing comparisons online to the Terminator series.
An AI robot attacks its programmers as soon as it is activated in China. pic.twitter.com/d4KUcJQvtD
— Aprajita Nefes 🦋 Ancient Believer (@aprajitanefes) May 2, 2025
Unitree Robots Under Scrutiny Again
This isn’t the first time Unitree’s robotics have raised eyebrows. Just three months ago, during the Spring Festival Gala in Tianjin, another Unitree humanoid charged at a crowd, forcing organizers to intervene. The robot, dressed festively for the occasion, lunged at bystanders before being restrained — again prompting widespread debate about AI reliability and control protocols.
Similarly, a Tesla factory in Texas saw a robot injure an engineer in a 2023 incident that was later attributed to a software glitch. These incidents, while not always resulting in serious injury, are enough to sound the alarm bells in the tech and manufacturing industries.
Global Debate: Are We Rushing AI Too Fast?
As robotic automation grows increasingly sophisticated, experts warn of insufficient safeguards, especially when dealing with autonomous decision-making systems in public or industrial environments.
“Every time an AI-powered machine malfunctions, it’s a wake-up call,” said a Beijing-based tech analyst. “The world needs stronger regulatory frameworks, especially with AI systems beginning to mimic complex human behavior.”
So far, Unitree Robotics has not issued a public statement regarding the latest incident. Calls are growing for more transparent investigations, especially as AI plays an expanding role in both military and civilian sectors.
Tags: AI robot, China, Unitree robot, robot attack, artificial intelligence, robotics safety, machine malfunction, humanoid robot, factory incident