The testing malfunction highlights ongoing challenges in humanoid robotics development as engineers work to refine control systems for advanced robotic platforms.
A humanoid robot’s dramatic malfunction during testing has gone viral after footage showed the machine thrashing wildly while suspended from a crane, ultimately causing equipment damage and forcing the crane to collapse.
The incident involved a Unitree H1 humanoid robot during what appeared to be a routine test session. The H1 is a high-performance bipedal humanoid robot priced at approximately $90,000, designed for research and development applications.
Known as “the fastest running humanoid robot in the world,” the H1 can achieve running speeds of up to 3.3 meters per second and stands approximately 180 cm tall.Video shared on social media shows the robot beginning to flail uncontrollably, knocking over equipment and launching boxes across the room before the supporting crane crashes down.
What caused the malfunction
According to the robot handler Cix Liv, who shared the footage on X, the technical cause was straightforward: “The technical reason is we ran a full body policy while the feet weren’t touching the ground. Don’t do that.”
The explanation suggests the robot’s full-body control systems were activated while it was suspended, with its feet unable to make ground contact. This appears to have confused the robot’s balance system, sending it into a feedback loop that resulted in the chaotic movements captured on video.
In sharing the footage, Cix Liv included a candid request: “please make this go viral so I can pay for repairs our humanoid robot boy DeREK completely lost his mind @REKrobot.”
The honest plea for crowdfunding assistance has resonated with viewers, highlighting the financial realities faced by robotics developers when expensive equipment malfunctions during testing phases.
The malfunction resulted in significant damage, with the robot knocking over laboratory equipment and ultimately causing the crane suspending it to collapse. Technicians can be seen in the footage reacting with surprise as the situation unfolds, with at least one observer visible stepping back in apparent disbelief.
Common testing challenges
Malfunctions during development are not uncommon in the robotics industry, particularly during the testing phases of advanced humanoid systems. Safety standards for humanoid robots are still being developed, as these machines pose unique challenges when operating in environments with humans.
Suspended testing, as seen in this incident, is typically used as a safety measure during humanoid robot development. This approach allows engineers to test mobility and balance systems while preventing the robot from causing damage if it falls or malfunctions. However, as this incident demonstrates, even suspended testing can present its own risks when control systems activate unexpectedly.
The DeREK incident echoes similar malfunctions that have occurred in robotics labs worldwide. Previous incidents involving humanoid robots malfunctioning during testing phases have sparked discussions about AI safety, though experts consistently attribute such events to technical glitches rather than autonomous behavior.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complex challenges involved in developing advanced humanoid robotics, where even minor programming errors can lead to dramatic and expensive consequences.
The footage has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with reactions ranging from humor about the robot’s apparent “tantrum” to more serious conversations about robotics development and testing safety protocols.
Despite the dramatic nature of the malfunction, the incident appears to represent a programming error rather than any fundamental issue with the robot’s design or artificial intelligence systems.
Whether this was a PR stunt or not, the clip’s pure entertainment. Definitely a 21st-century twist we can get behind.
Source: X post by Cix Liv (@REKrobot). Video originally shared on Instagram (@cixliv).
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