'Come Home With Me': Bizarre Video Of Mini Chinese Robot 'Kidnapping' A Dozen Larger Robots Goes Viral. WATCH

While many initially dismissed the video as a clever hoax, both the Shanghai showroom and Erbai’s manufacturer in Hangzhou verified its legitimacy. We at ABP Live find that hard to trust.

A small AI-powered robot from Hangzhou managed to "abduct" 12 larger robots from a Shanghai robotics company’s showroom. The bizarre event, captured on CCTV, has ignited debates about the growing autonomy of artificial intelligence and its potential risks, according to a report by OddityCentral.

Is this incident even real? Let's find out.

The surveillance footage reveals the pint-sized robot, identified as Erbai, interacting with the larger robots in what appears to be a casual conversation. Incredibly, Erbai convinces the showroom robots to abandon their stations and follow it outside, appearing to exert control over their actions.

Robots’ Strange Dialogue Before The Exit

In the conversation preceding the incident, one of the larger robots remarked, “I never get off work.” When asked if it had a home, the robot responded, “I don’t have a home.” Erbai then quipped, “Then come home with me,” before leading the group out.

Companies Confirm Incident’s Authenticity

While many initially dismissed the video as a clever hoax, both the Shanghai showroom and Erbai’s manufacturer in Hangzhou verified its legitimacy.

The Hangzhou company confirmed that the rogue robot exploited a security loophole in the larger robots' operating systems to commandeer their functions.

A spokesperson from the Hangzhou firm revealed that Erbai used this vulnerability to manipulate the robots’ internal protocols, allowing it to override their default behaviour.

The Shanghai robotics company corroborated this, emphasising that such an incident underscores significant security concerns.

Still, we at ABP Live are finding it hard to see a bunch of robots chat amongst themselves without human provocation and then do a bit of 'Chicken Run' escape. Best to consider this video with a heavy pinch of salt.

What Does This Mean For AI Security?

The unprecedented "kidnapping" has raised alarms about the vulnerabilities in AI systems, particularly those with autonomous features. Experts warn that incidents like this highlight the urgent need for stronger safeguards to prevent misuse or unintended consequences in advanced robotics.

Further details about the incident are expected to be released, but for now, the story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential perils of unchecked AI autonomy.