70-Year-Old Woman Hospitalized After Shock from Encountering Humanoid Robot on Street
A 70-year-old woman in Macau was hospitalized after being startled by a humanoid robot on the street, though doctors cleared her to go home with no injuries sustained. Police said the robot was being used for a promotional activity by a loc
A 70-year-old woman in Macau was taken to the hospital after being frightened by a humanoid robot walking on the street in the Patane district. Police later revealed the robot was being used for a promotional activity by a local tutoring institute.
According to public safety police, the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Sally Tow Hnan Street. While the woman was stopped to use her smartphone, she suddenly sensed something approaching from behind. Upon turning around, she discovered it was a humanoid robot, causing her significant shock.
Police confirmed there was no physical contact between the woman and the robot, and she suffered no injuries. However, she reported feeling unwell from the fright and requested to be taken to the hospital for examination. After a medical checkup, doctors cleared her to return home, and she decided not to file any complaints or charges.
Authorities confirmed the humanoid robot belonged to a local tutoring institute and was being operated by a 50-year-old local man who stated he was testing the robot's performance to improve its effectiveness for future promotional activities.
A video of the incident quickly spread on social media, showing the woman appearing to argue with the robot while several police officers stood nearby before the robot was removed from the area. In the video, the woman can be heard shouting in Cantonese that the robot made her heart race, questioning why such machinery was being operated in public.
Police warned the robot operator to exercise greater caution when operating the humanoid robot in public spaces to prevent causing fear or safety risks to the public.
Mark Kim Choy, director of Study Hard Education Centre, told reporters that the institute had conducted three promotional activities using the robot in the past week. He stated that over the past six months, the institution had used the robot for public relations activities in crowded areas, which typically received positive feedback from the public.
Choy also revealed that after the incident, he personally accompanied the 70-year-old woman to the hospital and drove her home after she was released.
