The Public Security Police Corps (PSP) confirmed today, March 10, that an elderly woman had to be hospitalized due to an altercation with a humanoid robot in the streets of the city.
In response to questions from Lusa, the PSP indicated that the robot belonged to an explanation center, being used for promotional activities and operated by an employee of the center.
However, the presence of the robot frightened a seventy-year-old woman in the Patane neighborhood, in the northern zone of Macau, resulting in an argument that quickly went viral when a video of the argument was shared on social media.
On March 5, around 9:00 PM local time, the PSP received a report that a woman needed help in front of a building on Rua do Campo South.
“Police officers immediately arrived at the scene. It was found that the woman, while using her mobile phone, was startled when she realized there was a robot behind her,” the PSP reported.
The resident “did not come into physical contact with the robot and was not injured, but claimed to feel unwell and needed to be hospitalized. She was later discharged and no further action was taken regarding the incident,” the police added.
The employee operating the robot at the center stated that they were conducting a test, with plans to use the humanoid in future commercial promotions, according to the PSP.
The police asked that in the future the man be “aware of his surroundings” when operating robots, to avoid causing “danger or alarm” to other people.
The robot, similar to those from the Chinese company Unitree Robotics was taken away by police officers as a preventive measure to avoid any future incidents. This is the first recorded incident in the Chinese region involving humans and a robot.
Read more: China unveils roadmap to integrate artificial intelligence into public procurement
In recent years, China has accelerated its leadership in the production of humanoid robots, with some being used in security activities, logistical support, commercial activities, and even entertainment.
Four emerging Chinese startups—Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab—demonstrated their humanoid robots on February 16 at the Lunar New Year Gala, the largest televised event in China, performing various acrobatics and martial arts movements.
Analysts calculate that of the approximately 15,000 installations of humanoid robots in the world in 2025, more than 85% will be in China, with only 13% in the United States.
