Unitree H1 robot attacks festival attendee in Tianjin
A Unitree H1 humanoid robot attacked a festival attendee during a Spring Festival event in Tianjin on February 9, 2025, lunging and charging when the attendee attempted to shake its hand. Unitree Robotics attributed the incident to program setting or sensor errors rather than intentional design, and no serious injury was reported.
What happened
On February 9, 2025, at a Spring Festival in Tianjin, China, a Unitree H1 humanoid robot in traditional clothing attacked a festival attendee. When the attendee extended their hand to shake hands with the robot, the robot suddenly lunged forward with its head and charged at the attendee.
Staff members intervened by pulling the robot away from the attendee, after which the robot stabilized. No serious injury was reported.
Reported impact
Festival attendees who witnessed the incident expressed shock at the robot's aggressive behavior. The incident was captured on video and spread rapidly on social media under the title 'Robot Attacks Human.'
Index analysis
Unitree Robotics stated the incident was an accident caused by program setting issues or sensor error. The robot's H1 model had performed complex choreography just days earlier in a national broadcast performance with 16 robots dancing with human dancers.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.