Macau Woman Startled by Robot, Police Escort It Away

In Macau, China, last week, a 70-year-old woman was briefly hospitalized after being startled by a humanoid robot on a narrow street near a residential complex, prompting police to escort the machine away in a scene captured on viral video. The incident, which occurred around 9 p.m. local time, highlighted the growing presence of advanced robotics in public spaces and the potential for unintended distress.

The woman had paused to check her phone while walking when the robot, a Unitree G1 model about four feet tall, stopped silently behind her to wait for a clear path. Unaware of its approach, she turned around and confronted the machine, yelling in Cantonese, "You're making my heart race! You've got plenty to do, so what's the point of messing around with this? Are you freaking crazy?" Video footage showed her waving her bag at the robot, which raised its arms in response, though no physical contact occurred. Witnesses described the woman as visibly distressed, complaining of nausea and a rapid heartbeat.

Police officers arrived shortly after and guided the robot away by placing a hand on its shoulder, an action that drew widespread online attention and jokes about the world's...