On February 3rd, in a shopping center in Chengdu, Sichuan, a humanoid robot organized by a merchant accidentally collided with an elderly bystander during a performance, causing both the person and the robot to fall to the ground, attracting a crowd of onlookers.
According to posts circulating on social media on February 3rd, within the Kade Plaza (Charm City store) in Chengdu, a humanoid robot performing at the event collided with an elderly person, resulting in the elderly individual falling to the ground.
The video footage shared online showed a gathering of customers watching the performance in an open area of the mall, with an elderly person sitting on the ground as bystanders attempted to help to no avail. Nearby, a humanoid robot lay on the ground with its hands spread apart. The individual who posted the video claimed that the robot accidentally kicked the elderly person during its performance gestures.
The staff of the merchant involved disclosed that at the time of the incident, the elderly person was watching the robot performance at close range. Startled by the robot moving towards their direction, the elderly person attempted to step aside but accidentally collided with the performing robot, resulting in a fall. Reportedly, the elderly person was taken to the hospital for treatment after the fall.
Following the popularization of humanoid robots in China, spurred in part by their performance during the 2025 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, where they showcased their ability to perform traditional Chinese dances, these robots have garnered media attention in the country.
A previous report by Voice of America suggested that despite the extensive promotion of humanoid robots in China, there are ongoing debates regarding the feasibility of their practical application in the country.
Kyle Chan, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University specializing in industrial policy and Chinese infrastructure issues, expressed skepticism about the mass production of robots in China. He stated that the symbolic significance of China’s promotion of robot mass production outweighed the practical implications.
Chan remarked, “I am a bit puzzled by China’s push for large-scale production. Releasing thousands of such products suddenly when the technology is not yet fully developed seems pointless. They are not suitable for factory assembly lines, let alone use in restaurants. This seems somewhat wasteful and may be misleading.”
A widely circulated video on social media depicted an incident at a Chinese Lunar New Year performance in which a humanoid robot appeared to “go out of control” and rush towards the audience, only to be stopped by security personnel. This incident may indicate that the technology of humanoid robots in China is far from mature.