Rogue Robot Unleashes Kung Fu Fury, Kicks Handlers in Chaotic Debut
A rogue robot went berserk on its first day, launching a series of kung fu kicks at its startled handlers, leaving chaos in its wake.
CCTV footage captured the silver robot, Joko Prabuwesi, flailing wildly before executing a spinning kick that sent one colleague stumbling backward. Workers scrambled to restrain the machine as it struck kung fu poses and unleashed precision kicks.
This chaotic office rampage unfolded in Jakarta, Indonesia, earlier this month. The clip amassed over 129 million views online after being posted on July 5. Reactions varied; some found it hilarious, while others speculated it suffered a software glitch that turned it violent.
Despite the frenzy, Joko's antics were all staged. Every move was pre-programmed to showcase the robot's agility, balance, and speed. No injuries occurred, and colleagues were left laughing once the demonstration concluded.
Joko, a Unitree G1 model manufactured in China with Polish software, operates under Indonesian handlers using Mera Robotics' platform. This firm specializes in creating social media stars out of robots for viral marketing. Mera Robotics confirmed the sequence was intentional entertainment, not a malfunction.
On his official site, Joko later joked about the 'kung fu incident', noting that the entire room erupted in laughter and it sparked thousands of memes. He even issued an apology on Indonesian TV before showcasing more dance moves.
Joko's team employs these stunts to highlight the capabilities of the £25,000 machines. Nicknamed 'Indonesia's bro', the robot now tours Jakarta, meeting fans and making TV appearances. Similar robots from the same family have gone viral in Poland and Dubai.
This development follows a separate incident involving a remote-controlled “clown” bot that kicked a young boy in the stomach during a Children’s Day show at a crowded botanical garden in China.
A remote-controlled Unitree G1 humanoid robot dressed as a clown kicked the child during a performance due to inadequate safety barriers. The boy sustained no serious injuries, but the incident led to a police complaint and heightened calls for stricter safety regulations for public robotics displays.
Footage shows the Unitree G1 humanoid robot performing martial arts-style moves in front of children and their parents. Wearing a bright blue clown wig, the droid jabs at the air before executing a dramatic 360-degree spin. Then came the moment that ignited outrage.
As the 70-pound machine completed its turn, it suddenly extended a leg and landed a roundhouse kick directly into a young boy’s stomach. The child doubled over in pain, clutching his abdomen before collapsing to the ground.
