A hot potato: Recent efforts by tech companies to develop increasingly human-like autonomous robots have invited endless comparisons to the Terminator films. While the criticisms are usually made in jest, a couple of recent incidents with Unitree robots present some of the strongest evidence yet of the risks of humanoid robotics.
A chilling video that recently began circulating on social media allegedly shows a Unitree robot going berserk in a factory, nearly injuring two nearby workers. The cause of the incident remains unclear, but it could prompt greater public scrutiny of robotics companies.
The undated video shows two workers on a factory floor near a robot resembling Unitree's H1 model. After a few seconds, the robot begins wildly flailing its arms while walking forward. The workers are forced to dodge the machine until one of them manages to grab the harness restraining it.
Unitree has not commented on the authenticity of the video or the cause of the malfunction, though a software error is suspected. If so, the incident may offer a glimpse into the potential dangers of robotics programming.
This is not the first time a Unitree robot has been filmed malfunctioning in close proximity to humans. Another video, taken during the Tianjin Winter Gala Festival in February, shows a Unitree H1 suddenly lurching toward a spectator who had extended their hand, prompting security to intervene and restrain the robot.
Unitree markets its $16,000 G1 as a relatively affordable humanoid home assistant. Promotional videos highlight the robot's impressive flexibility and stability as it performs various movements and recovers after being shoved.
The G1 responds to voice commands, uses a 3D Lidar camera for depth perception, and can theoretically learn new skills through imitation and reinforcement. High-end models feature articulated hands for broader functionality.
In another recent incident, the G1 was filmed falling over at the starting line of a half-marathon. The company later stated that its human assistant had deployed the robot without using Unitree's operational algorithms.
Although the G1 is designed for home assistance, multiple companies are testing similar robots in warehouses. Apptronik and Jabil are collaborating to gauge their ability to assemble circuit boards and even other robots. Meanwhile, GXO Logistics and Agility Robotics have expanded testing of Digit, a model first deployed in Amazon warehouses in 2023.
If the tests prove successful, they could stoke concerns not about killer robots, but about a more immediate and tangible risk: the future of human employment.
Factory video shows Unitree robot going berserk, nearly injuring workers
