Forget AI taking our jobs. We might have to start worrying about robots surpassing us in slapstick humor instead.
In a video taken of the practice runs at China’s World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, one of these robots sprints down a race track at an impressive pace, before crashing and literally flaming out in spectacular fashion.
Deceleration, it turned out, proved not to be its strong suit. Still going at top speed well after bursting past the finish line, the gangly machine slams into a cushioned wall, stumbles backwards as it desperately tries to regain its balance with rapid footsteps, and then falls head first on the ground. Its awkward landing, though, sent the force of impact straight into its hip — which immediately erupts in a shower of sparks.
The robot, it appeared, had blown out its back. Sympathetic groans rang out from the crowd.
