A robot spectacularly lost its leg during a public demonstration just one day after its official launch.
The H2-X machine, marketed as the ‘Kung Fu Legend: Guardian’, attempted a dynamic side flip on a cushioned mat as part of a martial-arts routine.
But the robot’s lower leg detached at the joint before skittering across the floor.
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Audience gasps filled the hall as the demonstration was halted and staff rushed over.
The mishap took place at the 2026 World Physical AI Conference and Unitree Partner Ecosystem Conference in Hangzhou, China.
Unitree Robotics unveiled the H2-X only the day before under promotional videos showing it kicking dents into car doors, lifting vehicle fronts, and flipping after a jump from a four-metre platform.
Experts pointed out that landings can generate forces of several thousand newtons, stressing joints and materials like carbon fibre to breaking point if control algorithms lag by even milliseconds.
The company positions the roughly 170cm, 65kg robot for security patrols, emergency rescue and protective duties.
It boasts up to eight hours of battery life, as reported by Need To Know.
Unitree lists the H2-X at around £19,000 excluding tax and shipping, with warnings that users must keep a safe distance because of its powerful actuators.
No official statement has been issued by Unitree, with the firm declining to comment and disclosing no investigation findings or improvement plans after the incident on 22 October.
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