Humanoid robot is spotted BEGGING on a street in China - claiming it has 'no money to recharge'

daily mail ^

[algore]

While many people worry that robots are coming to take their jobs, one unlucky bot seems to have fallen on hard times.

A humanoid robot was spotted begging for money on a street corner in China's Sichuan province last week.

In a viral clip, the bot was seen kneeling on the street, holding its hands together and bowing to passersby.

Meanwhile, an LED sign and loudspeaker told locals it had 'no money to recharge' and begged them to 'please help with electricity bills'.

The robotic beggar even had a small plate for collecting coins and, of course, a QR code to collect digital payments.

The humans behind this digital panhandler are yet to be revealed, although the bot has been identified as a $16,000 (£12,000) Unitree G1 humanoid robot.

Online speculation has run rampant over whether this is an elaborate practical joke, a bizarre piece of performance art, or a particularly strange money–making scheme.

Tech fans joked on social media: 'Even beggars are being replaced by robots.'

One commenter wrote: 'Another day, another robot taking a goddam job from us!'

'Job market so bad even robots have to beg,' chimed in another.

Meanwhile another jokingly added: 'First they took our jobs, now they're taking our spare change.'

Many social media users were more curious about why someone would have set up such an expensive robot to beg for change in the first place.

'It's an extremely lucrative money–making method, way more than minimum–wage jobs,' one commenter speculated.

'The owner is chilling at home you know,' suggested another.

One commenter jokingly added: 'The cost of purchasing this robot is recovered from the robot itself.'

However, not everyone was a fan of the strange robotic beggar, and many were outraged to see members of the public giving money away.

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TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS:

[algore]

[mikey_hates_everything]

If it could do outside work for me, I’d let it charge from one of my outside outlets for free. It’s not coming into my house, who knows what spy hardware is on it?

[crusty old prospector]

The Chinese are weirdos.

[aynrandfreak]

I knew a guy 35 years ago who decided to try a "Will Work for Food" sign when he needed cash to stop a repo on his car. He came back bloodied from a guy who said that corner was his territory.

This could be where the first human-robot wars start.

[lee martell]

The owner is probably sitting at home having a good laugh at all these gullible people. He even has the Robot literally down on his knees in prayer. A lot of people would be both amused and touched by such a pantomime.

Be careful, Owner; Somebody could just pick up your Robot/ Hobby Project, put him in their trunk and drive away, Begging Bowl and all!

**If this was tried in Los Angeles, Mr. Robot would very likely be kicked into the nearest busy street before he had collected any money.

[aquila48]

If he had a baby robot in his arms or a robot puppy he’d collect even more.

[PGR88]

They should develop a model for Chicago and Baltimore that can stick-up gas stations and convenience stores.

[Jonty30]

I think its’ clever. The robot would lose its head if it were tried in an urban population in America.

[EnderWiggin1970]

Online speculation has run rampant over whether this is an elaborate practical joke, a bizarre piece of performance art, or a particularly strange money–making scheme.

Yeah, one (or more) of the three. Or a test being put on by a student in the local sociology/anthropology department.

[T.B. Yoits]

The Pimpbot 5000 has been keeping up the hustle for thirty years now.

[Fai Mao]

Performance art. Somebody is being funny.

[sjmjax]

Performance art. Somebody is being funny.

Yes. That or a study on how people react to robots. And, if they will give them the sort of consideration and sympathy that they might have towards pets or animals.

[Wuli]

A stunt by the owners of the robot to help them pay their electric bills that now include the electric needs of the robot.

[KarlInOhio]

Will it get as nasty with you when you bring out an extension cord as the “need money for food” crowd gets when you give them a sandwich instead of cash?

[Wuli]

Will the robot chase after someone trying to steel the donations it already has???

[Opinionated Blowhard]

And if you don’t give it money, your social credit score is docked a thousand points and you can’t get a mortgage or travel outside of your city any longer.

[GingisK]

Sucker! Those are not autonomous. They are remotely controlled.

[No.6]

I wouldn’t give cash. Maybe a bag of chips?