A viral video reportedly filmed in a Chinese factory has sparked global alarm after showing a humanoid robot appearing to “go rogue” and violently flail its limbs at nearby workers.

The grainy security footage, now viewed more than 12 million times on X, shows the robot — believed to resemble the Unitree H1, a bipedal humanoid platform — suspended from a crane-like mechanism while two men work beside it. Without warning, the robot begins violently swinging its arms, knocking over a computer monitor and sending nearby objects flying.

The two workers can be seen recoiling in shock, one scrambling to subdue the machine by grabbing the suspension rig and attempting to stabilize it.

Online reactions have ranged from jokes about “Terminator” to serious concern about artificial intelligence and robotics safety. One viral post dubbed it “the first robot rebellion in human history,” though there is currently no confirmation from Chinese authorities about what triggered the incident.

While it’s unclear if the episode was caused by a software glitch, mechanical malfunction, or human error, the lack of transparency has only fueled speculation — especially given China’s leading role in developing advanced AI and robotics for industrial and security use.

The robot in question bears a strong resemblance to the Unitree H1, a cutting-edge humanoid designed to walk, run, and interact with objects using sensors and AI guidance systems. Unitree Robotics has previously promoted the H1 as a powerful but stable platform for research and development.

This incident, however, threatens to cast a shadow over the entire field.

AI safety experts were quick to weigh in. “Even if this was just a calibration error or unexpected power surge, it’s a wake-up call,” said Dr. Ethan Rohl, a robotics engineer at Stanford. “When you combine autonomy, physical strength, and unpredictability, you need rigorous safeguards — and transparency about what happens when things go wrong.”

China has been racing ahead in humanoid robotics development, showcasing units that mimic human movement with uncanny precision and integrating AI for facial recognition, environmental analysis, and even law enforcement applications.

Some have already voiced concern that these technologies, if rushed into deployment without adequate safety controls, could pose serious risk. This latest incident is likely to fuel debate not just in China, but globally, about the need for regulation around humanoid robotics.

It also comes at a time when artificial intelligence is under increasing scrutiny. From autonomous drones to AI-generated deepfakes, lawmakers in the U.S. and Europe are already scrambling to address the ethical and security challenges posed by rapidly advancing technology.

As for the robot in the viral video, there’s still no official explanation from the manufacturer or the Chinese government. Fox News Digital has not independently verified the footage, and the exact time, location, and cause of the incident remain unknown.

But as millions continue to watch and react, one thing is certain: the age of humanoid machines is no longer science fiction — and neither are the dangers.