Would you trust a robot around your family?
With humanoids now able to complete mundane chores like folding the laundry, loading the dishwasher, and even boiling the kettle, you might be tempted to bring one into your home.
However, a recent spate of incidents could sway your decision.
This week, a humanoid hit the headlines after slapping a child across the face during an out-of-control dance show in China.
Over in California, a bot went berserk at a restaurant, with desperate staff filmed trying to drag it away from customers.
Meanwhile, a humanoid was even detained by police in China after terrifying an elderly woman.
'With sales of humanoid robots set to skyrocket over the next decade, the public will increasingly be at risk from these kinds of incidents,' said Carl Strathearn and Emilia Sobolewska, robotics experts at Edinburgh Napier University, in a recent article for The Conversation.
'In our view as robotics researchers, governments have put very little thought into the risks.'
A Tesla engineer was attacked by a robot during a brutal and bloody malfunction at the company's Giga Texas factory near Austin.
Two witnesses watched in horror as their fellow employee was attacked by the machine, which is designed to grab and move freshly cast aluminum car parts.
The robot had pinned the man, who was then programming software for two disabled Tesla robots nearby.
It then sank its metal claws into the worker's back and arm, leaving a 'trail of blood' along the factory surface.
The incident - which left the victim with an 'open wound' on his left hand - was revealed in a 2021 injury report filed to Travis county and federal regulators.
Robot goes berserk at a restaurant in California
Customers at the Haidilao hotpot restaurant in San Jose, California, were enjoying their meals when a humanoid started showing off some moves.
Some of the robot's moves include putting its hands on its hips and stamping its legs and waving its arms in the air. A total of three employees were forced to intervene, grabbing the robot by the scruff of its neck
While performing a dance routine, involving waving its arms and shaking its hips, the robot suddenly slammed its hands down on a table.
This sent chopsticks and bright yellow sauce flying into the air, while staff raced over to try and turn it off.
The humanoid continued to dance throughout the altercation - which saw three employees wrestle with the robot and try to drag it away by the scruff of its neck.
Humanoid slaps a boy across the face in China
What should have been a family-friendly dance performance ended in disaster, after a young boy was slapped across the face by a rogue robot.
Shocking footage, filmed at a show in Shaanxi Province, China, on Saturday 21 March, showed a Unitree robot spinning around the stage.
It veered towards the crowd as it performed sweeping arm movements in time to the music.
As the bot got closer, a young boy could be seen drawing his arms in, in the hopes of avoiding its flailing metal limbs.
Unfortunately, his attempts proved futile, as the robot caught the boy fully in the face during a pirouette.
Robot attacks the crowd at the Spring Festival Gala in China
What should have been a lovely family event turned sour, after a humanoid robot appeared to attack the crowd at the Spring Festival Gala in Tianjin, northeast China, last year.
Footage showed the robot, adorned with a bright jacket, appearing to lunge at a group of people behind a barricade.
Its erratic movements forced the festival's security to drag it back from the crowd, over fears it may harm someone.
The event organisers reportedly described the incident as a 'simple robot failure.'
They added that the robot had passed previous safety tests, and that additional measures would be put in place to make sure this wouldn't happen again.
Robot attacks its handler during testing
The robot - seemingly of its own accord - raised its arms in the air and brought them down again, repeating the motion with increasing speed and violence
How can we make robots safer?
- Increase owner requirements
Ban people from controlling robots under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when they are otherwise distracted such as using their phones. - Improve design
Safe designs would consider everything from reducing cavities where fingers could get caught, to waterproofing internal components. - Train operators
There appears to be a major skills gap in operator training, and robotics companies will need to prioritise this to ensure operators can control machines efficiently and safely. - Educate the public
If people understand to what extent walking robots are owner-operated or remote-operated, it will change their expectations about what the robot might do, and make everyone safer as a result.
In May 2025, a humanoid robot attacked its handler while trying to break free from restraints in a scene viewers branded 'dystopian'.
In CCTV footage from a factory in China, the black robot could be seen attached to a miniature crane before it suddenly began swinging its arms back and forth.
As it flew into a rage and lashed out, a man sitting behind a nearby computer began ducking while another man standing behind the robot backed away.
The robot - seemingly of its own accord - raised its arms in the air and brought them down again, repeating the motion with increasing speed and violence.
It then began walking forward as it thrashed around in an apparent bid to break free from the crane.
The men could both be seen flinching and cowering while raising their arms to shield their face as they moved out of its path.
The computer monitor toppled tp the floor and other items were knocked over from the desk as the men attempted to flee from the out-of-control robot.
Eventually, one of the men pulled the crane from behind in a bid to stop the spree of destruction.
Robot detained by police after terrifying an elderly woman in China
In what sounds like a scene from a science fiction thriller, a humanoid robot was arrested by police after terrifying an elderly woman in China.
According to local authorities, the 70-year-old woman was startled by the robot when she suddenly noticed it standing behind her.
A viral clip shows the woman yelling and waving her bag at the diminutive bot, which repeatedly raises its arms in the air.
Footage then shows two police officers escorting the Unitree G1 down the road, with one leading the robot by its shoulder.
Police told reporters that the woman had stopped to check her phone when the robot halted behind her, waiting for her to clear the path.
The elderly pedestrian was then 'frightened' to discover that the robot was silently following her down the road.
Following the incident, the woman told police that she was feeling unwell and was taken to hospital for a check-up and treatment.
After doctors confirmed there was no physical altercation between her and the robot, the unnamed woman said that she wouldn't be filing a complaint against the bot’s operator.
What can we do to make robots safer?
Dr Strathearn and Dr Sobolewska have pinpointed four urgent step to make robots safer.
Firstly, they say we should increase owner requirements.
Here in the UK, there are currently on government guidelines for robots controlled by owners - meaning you could take one just about anywhere.
'As a starting point, we could ban people from controlling robots under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when they are otherwise distracted such as using their phones,' the researchers suggest.
'Their use could also be restricted in risky environments such as confined spaces with lots of members of the public, places with fire or chemical hazards, and the roofs of buildings.'
The actual design of the humanoids themselves could also be approved, according to the pair.
'Robots that looks sleek and can dance and flip are fun to watch, but how safe are the audiences?' they asked.
'Safe designs would consider everything from reducing cavities where fingers could get caught, to waterproofing internal components.'
Next steps for safety
Next, operators of remote-controlled robot could have better training.
The researchers explained: 'Clearly there will be dangers with robots using AI features, but remote-operated models could be even more dangerous.
'Mistakes could result from users' lack of real-world training and experience in real-life situations.'
Public education
Finally, the researchers say that educating the public is crucial.
They concluded: 'If people understand to what extent walking robots are owner-operated or remote-operated, it will change their expectations about what the robot might do, and make everyone safer as a result.'