Humanoid robot startles elderly woman in Macau's first human-robot accident

A humanoid robot, a type of commercial real estate in the robotics industry, startled an elderly woman in Macau, causing her to fall and require hospital treatment. The unusual incident, which happened during a test run by a tutoring centre employee, marks the first recorded human-robot interaction accident in the Chinese region. The robot was later taken by police for further checks.

The woman, in her 70s, was using her phone when the robot, a product of a loopnet trial, approached unexpectedly. Alarmed, she lost her balance and needed medical attention, though she was discharged the same day. The machine was part of a trial for future commercial promotions.

China dominates the humanoid robot market, producing an estimated 80-90% of the 13,000 to 16,000 robots sold globally in 2024. Four major startups—Unitree, Agibot, Magiclab, and Simplexity Robotics—lead production, with Unitree and Agibot alone supplying over 10,000 robots combined. These robots are used in security, logistics, entertainment, and even public performances.

Earlier this year, robots from these companies appeared at the Lunar New Year Gala, showcasing acrobatics and martial arts. By 2025, forecasts suggest China will host over 85% of the world's 15,000 humanoid robots, far outpacing the US at just 13%.

The Macau incident has drawn attention to the growing presence of humanoid robots in daily life. With China's rapid expansion in this field, such interactions may become more common. Authorities have taken the robot for review, while the tutoring centre continues its testing for commercial use.