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Are the machines already fighting back?
A jaw-dropping video from China has sparked fresh fears about the rise of humanoid robots after a machine wearing a clown wig kicked a young boy in the stomach during a public demonstration.
The incident unfolded at a tourist attraction in Xinjiang, where dozens of spectators had gathered to watch a robotics showcase of martial arts moves.
But what began as a fun display of futuristic technology quickly turned into a scene straight out of a sci-fi nightmare.
Footage shows the humanoid bot, a Unitree G1, performing martial arts-inspired moves in front of a crowd of children and their parents.
Wearing a bright blue clown wig, the droid punches the air before spinning around in a dramatic 360-degree turn.
Then comes the moment that set keyboards on fire.
As the 70-pound robot completes its spin, it suddenly extends its legs and lands a roundhouse kick to a young boy directly in the stomach.
The child immediately doubles over in pain, clutching his abdomen before collapsing to the ground.
Nearby spectators watched in shock. After delivering the kick, the machine stumbles backwards, briefly regains its balance, and then continues its routine as if nothing happened.
Although the child was luckily not harmed, the G1 bot has strong capabilities and is able to deliver powerful blows.
Exactly what caused the kick remains unclear.
Some online viewers speculated the robot simply miscalculated its movement during the demonstration.
Others joked that the machine was attempting a pro wrestling move gone wrong.
“Very soon we will be attacked by these robots,” one X user commented.
Another asked: “Why are humans so determined to create machines that could eventually replace us?”
English (US)