Industrial robot malfunctions during testing in China

On September 13, 2026, a technical malfunction occurred at a laboratory in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, China, involving an android robot developed by the technology company Unitree. During a scheduled mobility test, the robot unexpectedly began executing a series of rapid rotational kicks in the immediate vicinity of a technician.

The technician, who was standing directly in front of the machine, managed to narrowly avoid physical injury by reacting quickly and moving away. While the human escaped unharmed, the force of the robot's movement struck the technician's mobile phone, propelling it several meters away. The entire incident was captured by facility surveillance cameras.

The footage of the event has circulated widely, sparking a renewed discussion regarding safety protocols for human-robot collaboration. Experts and observers note that the incident serves as a significant case study on the risks inherent in the testing phase of autonomous systems. Currently, there are no reports of additional injuries or investigations into the specific mechanical failure, though the incident underscores the critical necessity for improved safety measures in automated research and industrial environments.