A humanoid robot performing a martial arts demonstration at a theme park in Xinjiang has gone viral after accidentally kicking a young boy during a live show, raising questions about safety measures at public robot exhibitions.
The incident involved a G1 humanoid robot developed by Unitree Robotics, which is reportedly valued at around 200,000 yuan (approximately RM130,000).
The accident took place at an amusement area within the Urumqi Botanical Garden, a popular 3A-rated tourist attraction in Xinjiang.
Video footage circulating online shows the robot, wearing a blue wig, performing a series of martial arts moves in front of a crowd of children and parents.
As the robot repeatedly punched and kicked while moving forward along a designated performance area, spectators gathered nearby to watch and record the display.
However, the demonstration took an unexpected turn when the robot suddenly spun around and executed a side kick, a signature taekwondo move.
A young boy, believed to be around six years old and wearing a purple T-shirt, was standing nearby and was unable to move away in time. The robot’s kick struck the child, causing him to bend over in pain and struggle to remain standing.
Another child quickly pulled him away from the robot as a precaution.
Following the collision, the robot immediately stopped its performance and backed away from the crowd.
According to Chinese media reports, the boy’s parents later confirmed that police were called to handle the incident. Fortunately, the child did not suffer serious injuries.
However, the family expressed dissatisfaction with the response from event organisers, claiming staff members failed to react promptly after the accident occurred.
The incident quickly gained attention across Chinese social media platforms, prompting widespread discussion about safety protocols for robots operating in close proximity to the public.
In an apparent response to the controversy, the amusement park later shared several videos featuring the robot wearing a sign that read: “I was wrong, blame my master Zhang Sanfeng,” while also including humorous apology messages.
Attempts by local media to obtain further comments from the park reportedly went unanswered.
Authorities have yet to provide a detailed explanation regarding the circumstances that led to the accident.
