Humanoid Robot Spotted Begging for Charging Money Goes Viral in China

A video shot in Sichuan province, China, shows a humanoid robot kneeling on one knee and asking passersby for donations to cover its electricity bill. The clip quickly went viral on social media and prompted debate over whether it was a publicity stunt, an art installation, or an unusual fundraising gimmick.

Next to the robot were a donation bowl and a QR code for digital payments. A LED sign and speaker repeatedly played messages saying, "I have no money for charging" and "Please help me pay the electricity bill."

Reports identified the machine as a "Unitree G1" robot made by the Chinese robotics company Unitree. Online reactions ranged from jokes that "even beggars are being replaced by robots" to comments that "the AI takeover has been delayed for now."

According to HK01, similar "begging robots" have also appeared in Beijing, Chengdu, and Fuzhou, suggesting the strange spectacle is spreading to several Chinese cities.