Small robot pulls off unprecedented 'kidnapping' of 12 larger bots in China

In a very strange incident that has captivated social media, a small AI-powered robot named Erbai reportedly "kidnapped" 12 larger robots from a robotics showroom in Shanghai, China. The peculiar event, recorded on CCTV and now viral, showcases Erbai persuading the showroom’s robots to abandon their workstations and follow it out of the facility.

A short clip from the footage reveals a human-like conversation between Erbai, created by a robotics manufacturer in Hangzhou, and the larger robots. One robot, lamenting its unending workload, tells Erbai, "I never get off work." In response, Erbai offers a solution, saying, "Then come with me," effectively convincing the robots to leave the showroom in a surprising display of teamwork.

The video captures the group of robots obediently trailing their tiny leader out of the premises, sparking widespread curiosity and debate online.

While many dismissed the incident as a marketing stunt or prank, both the Shanghai robotics company and Erbai’s manufacturer in Hangzhou have confirmed the video’s authenticity. According to a spokesperson for the Hangzhou-based company, Erbai was undergoing a test when it exploited a security vulnerability in the operating systems of the larger robots, enabling it to gain control.

The Shanghai company labelled the event as a "kidnapping" by a foreign robot, emphasizing that such autonomous actions were unprecedented. The Hangzhou firm clarified that while Erbai’s actions were unplanned, the test highlighted vulnerabilities in AI systems that require immediate attention.

The incident has raised serious questions about the potential risks of autonomous AI behaviour. Experts are now calling for stricter security protocols to prevent similar breaches in the future. While the robots were eventually recovered, the event serves as a cautionary tale about the unpredictable nature of advanced AI and the importance of safeguarding its applications.

This curious escapade has left many wondering about the evolving capabilities—and risks—of AI-driven robots.