Unitree G1 robot accidentally kicks its trainer in groin (scienceclock.com)

A viral video from China shows a humorous yet concerning incident where a Unitree G1 humanoid robot accidentally kicked its trainer in the groin during a kickboxing training session. The trainer, using a real-time motion-capture suit, demonstrated movements to the robot, which, due to a slight lag in its neural network-based control system, miscalculated and delivered a swift kick. Following the mishap, the G1 mimicked the trainer's posture as he doubled over, creating an entertaining moment that quickly spread across social media. This incident underscores a significant challenge in the development of humanoid robots: the "latency gap" in teleoperation. Currently, the G1 operates with a delay that must be reduced to improve safety and interaction effectiveness, as even a fraction of a second can lead to dangerous situations. While the robot showcases remarkable agility, this event highlights the crucial need for enhanced situational awareness and safety measures in humanoid robotics. Until robots can detect potentially hazardous movements and implement real-time safety overrides, they pose a risk in dynamic human environments, reminding both developers and users of the current limitations within this rapidly advancing field.