Malfunction: Humanoid robot lashes out during tests

During tests in a Chinese factory, a humanoid robot suffered a malfunction and lashed out wildly, as a video shows. The test engineers switched off the robot in time before it could injure anyone.

It is not known which Chinese factory is involved. A video shows how a Unitree H1 humanoid robot is suspended from a frame for testing. This is a common procedure for evaluating movement sequences, for example, without the robot tipping over and being damaged.

During the tests, the robot suddenly began to flail its arms wildly. The two engineers dodged the blows. One of them managed to reposition the suspension device, which had slipped due to the robot's movements, and switch the robot off. No one was injured.

Error in the code

In the social media, where the video went viral, the humanoid robot technology was subsequently discussed as dangerous. Some commentators wanted to recognize an aggressive life of the robot and questioned the development of humanoid robots altogether. In reality, however, it was probably an error in the code that led to the malfunction.

Such incidents can occur in the development of robots in general. However, reports and videos about such malfunctions do not reach the public. In most cases, the development engineers prepare the robots before the tests in such a way that the safety of the test environment and thus that of the test personnel is guaranteed. Apparently, this was not done sufficiently in this case.

In a few cases, malfunctions of humanoid robots can also occur in public, such as at a festival in China in February 2025, when a humanoid robot moved towards a crowd of people and threatened to injure them. However, the robot was pulled away in time by security personnel. This shows how important an extensive test phase and quality assurance are in the development of humanoid robots before they come into contact with people.

(olb)