Robot hugs student at China Univ event, sparks AI debate

Beijing: A humanoid robot performing at a university dance event in China’s Shaanxi startled the crowd when it moved closer to a student and hugged her. Staff quickly pulled the robot away, and the student involved was not injured. The video went viral, prompting a debate among Tweeple about whether the robot had developed independent awareness or was being manipulated.

A university staff member described the incident as an AI programme malfunction during a joint performance intended to innovate campus cultural activities. The alumni-founded firm that provided the robot attributed the behaviour to signal interference from multiple drones operating simultaneously at the venue, which led to motion control anomalies.

Gao Huan, a deputy director at Chongqing Normal University, told Shangyou News the incident likely resulted from execution deviations or insufficient on-site safety redundancy. Huan clarified the robot’s actions should not be interpreted as a sign of independent consciousness. He noted robots on stage typically follow pre-programmed scripts, and unintended contact can occur if performers deviate from set trajectories.

Huan added in open scenarios like human-robot collaborative dances, robots must be treated as intelligent devices with mechanical risks rather than mere stage props. He recommended organisers and providers conduct rigorous risk assessments, including rehearsals and motion script testing. 

To handle future un­expected situations, Huan su­ggested setting safety distan­c­es, equipping emergency stop mechanisms and assigning human supervision.

—PTI