An elderly woman was taken to the hospital in Macau after being startled by a humanoid robot that suddenly appeared behind her on a narrow pavement, authorities said.
The unusual incident happened last Thursday near the Lok Yeung Fa Yuen residential complex in the Patane area. The woman was using her phone when she suddenly noticed the robot standing behind her, which frightened her.
According to local authorities, the woman reacted angrily and confronted the robot after it turned around and unexpectedly appeared.
A video of the moment later circulated widely on social media. The footage shows the woman shouting at the humanoid robot while two police officers arrive at the scene. One officer then places a hand on the robot’s shoulder before escorting it away from the area.
Police said the woman was taken to the hospital as a precaution after the incident, although she did not suffer any physical injuries. She was later discharged and decided not to file any complaint.
The unusual scene quickly drew attention online, with many social media users joking that the robot had been arrested by the police.
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Authorities later confirmed that the robot belonged to a local education centre in Macau. The centre had been using the humanoid robot as part of promotional activities across the city.
Police said the robot was returned to its operator, a local man in his 50s, who was nearby at the time. Officers reminded him to be more careful while operating the device in public areas.
The robot involved in the incident is believed to be a compact bipedal humanoid model developed by Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics. The model was launched in May 2024 and features advanced motion capabilities, obstacle-avoidance technology, and depth-sensing cameras.
A representative from the education centre said the robot was operating through a combination of programmed instructions and remote supervision during the promotional activity.
He explained that the incident occurred because the woman had stopped on the narrow pavement to check her phone while the robot was waiting behind her.
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“When she suddenly turned around, the robot’s lights may have startled her,” he said, while apologising for the distress caused.
The centre added that the robot had been used in several public demonstrations across Macau over the past six months, including promotional events at the Ruins of St Paul’s, the Cotai Strip, and other tourist locations.
Officials said the organisation would take extra precautions during future demonstrations to avoid similar incidents.
