Robots Fighting Back ?

The concept of robots fighting back is explored in both fictional narratives and real-life incidents, raising questions about the implications of advanced robotics and AI.[1] By now you’ve probably watched a few (dozen) videos from Boston Dynamics, the robotics company that makes its bones on developing bots that can do wildly impressive things. Heck, you’ve probably seen the firm’s viral videos posted on our page. Every few months, the Massachusetts-based maker releases clips of its creations stacking boxes and busting out backflips, and the Internet reacts accordingly. These jaw-dropping demonstrations have long been ripe for parody, and now we finally get the Boston Dynamics send-up we deserve, courtesy of Corridor Digital, an LA production studio that specializes in visual effects.

In this video[2], a robot that looks just like one of Boston Dynamics’ ATLAS-style walking bots takes a beating from testers, getting pummeled with whips, balls, and hockey sticks, all in the name of research. But then, a twist and a potential precursor of things to come: Fed up by the abuse, the bot fights back, kicking his tormentors ‘where it hurts the most’ before threatening to open fire. It’s clearly a parody but looks enough like the real thing that plenty of people have been fooled, so much so that Corridor had to issue a clarification that no machines or humans were actually harmed in the making of the video.

Fictional Portrayals - Tesla Robots Fight Back: This short action-comedy film imagines a scenario where Tesla's cars and humanoid robots engage in humorous and chaotic battles. Directed by Sam Wickert, the film features epic car chases and robot antics, ultimately questioning whether society is prepared for a potential robot uprising. The film blends action and comedy, showcasing a lighthearted take on the future of robotics and AI.[3]

Real-Life Incidents - Humanoid Robot Incident in China: A recent event at a festival in China involved an AI-powered humanoid robot that unexpectedly lunged toward a crowd, causing alarm among attendees. While security quickly intervened, the incident sparked debates about the safety and reliability of advanced robotics. Some observers speculated whether the robot's movement was a mechanical failure or an aggressive act, highlighting public concerns about the potential for robots to act unpredictably or even violently.

Six months ago, a humanoid robot attacked workers on a factory floor. A humanoid robot named DeREK had what you might call a “moment” on the floor of a San Francisco robotics lab putting a fright up viewed by millions.[4] The now-viral clip shows the mechanical humanoid suspended from a crane, flailing like a drunk before causing the crane to collapse. Nearby, a man freezes in shock, hands on his head like he just realized he was standing in the prologue of a cautionary sci-fi movie.

“Oh my god, what the f*** was that?” a female voice gasps. “I’m so sorry.” From off-camera, company REK’s self-described “chief robot fighter” Cix Liv replies: “What the f*** did you guys run?” Whether this was a meticulously planned PR stunt or just an accident that doubled as great marketing, is unclear. Either way, it’s a solid preview of what REK is selling, which is humanoid robots punching each other in the face for your entertainment. Think UFC, but with slightly fewer concussions. “Please make this go viral so I can pay for repairs,” Liv wrote on X under the video. “Our humanoid robot boy DeREK completely lost his mind.” According to Liv, the meltdown was not DeREK going rogue but a “human error.” “The technical reason is we ran a full body policy while the feet weren’t touching the ground. Don’t do that,” he wrote, explaining that the emergency stop takes five seconds and that the robot did not stop flailing until its connection to the internet was physically unplugged. “Honestly everything happened so fast (we’re) still trying to figure it out. First the policy wasn’t supposed to do this, even in documentation it could be run while suspended. The issue was that the end state was back into walking mode. Killing it through netcode didn’t work, the radio-based [emergency] stop they give you takes five seconds to complete now. When the ethernet cable finally dislodged it finally stopped.”

Liv, a decade deep in the VR gaming world, is now working on ways for humans to pilot these robot brawlers remotely via VR headsets. DeREK himself is a G1 model from Chinese robotics company Unitree, a machine so nimble it’s been filmed pulling off Kung fu moves and chatting to West Hollywood pedestrians in Gen Alpha slang. The same technology that can bow politely can now also swing a high kick like Bruce Lee, all in the name of “innovation.” Very comforting, huh?

Despite the impromptu demolition job, DeREK lived to fight another day. “Surprisingly, he still walks,” Liv confirmed when asked if anything was permanently broken. He described the video as “pure cinema” and attempted to play down the scene. “He’s growing up to be a strong boy,” he joked.

People across the globe are now questioning whether we are still able put the AI genie back in the bottle after viewing one too many malfunction videos. While warnings from AI pioneers may influence some, the reality is that the freight train of innovation will stop for nobody. In China, it appears to be pedal to the metal when it comes to the robotics industry. Earlier this year, a video surfaced appearing to show a robot “getting aggressive” with a human at a festival in the highly-developed nation. The viral clip, shared by X user Ben Geskin, sparked a wave of speculation online, with the world’s most popular podcast host suggesting it was the latest glimpse into our dystopian near-future.

It does highlight a genuine issue in robotics. Boston Dynamics, one of the companies at the forefront of humanoid robot development, has been uploading videos for years showcasing their dexterity, with some able to perform backflips and complete manual labor tasks with relative ease. But there’s still a long way to go in developing how AI handles unexpected situations. Robots are typically designed for stability, but when they do fall, their attempts to regain balance can appear erratic or even aggressive.

Implications - The juxtaposition of these fictional and real scenarios raises important questions about the future of robotics. As technology advances, the potential for robots to operate autonomously increases, leading to discussions about ethical considerations, safety measures, and the need for regulations to prevent unintended consequences. While fictional portrayals often exaggerate the capabilities of robots, real incidents remind us of the importance of ensuring that AI and robotics are developed responsibly and safely.

In summary, the idea of robots fighting back encompasses both entertaining fictional narratives and serious real-world implications, prompting ongoing discussions about the role of technology in our lives.

This article is shared at no charge for educational and informational purposes only.

Red Sky Alliance is a Cyber Threat Analysis and Intelligence Service organization. We provide indicators of compromise information via a notification service (RedXray) or an analysis service (CTAC). For questions, comments or assistance, please contact the office directly at 1-844-492-7225, or feedback@redskyalliance.com

Weekly Cyber Intelligence Briefings: