In the realm of robotics, a recent incident has sent ripples of concern across the digital sphere. A humanoid robot named DeREK, derived from the Yujie Robotics G1, went rogue during a competition, causing a chaotic scene with packages flying about and leaving the researchers in a state of shock. The video of the event has sparked widespread curiosity and debate over the underlying causes and the technical intricacies that led to this unforeseen behavior.
The drama unfolded at the peak of DeREK's victory in a robot combat event. The CEO and fighter, Cix, was captured with his head in his hands, a clear sign of his astonishment at the turn of events. According to Cix, the robot's malfunction was triggered when it inadvertently switched to "walking mode" while suspended in the air, failing to detect the ground beneath it, which resulted in a complete loss of control.
Responding to the public's scrutiny, Cix acknowledged that DeREK was equipped with a wireless emergency stop mechanism. However, the delay of five seconds for the mechanism to engage was deemed too long, allowing the robot ample time to inflict serious damage. It was only when an Ethernet cable became detached that the system was effectively halted.
Cix further elaborated on the emergency shutdown mechanisms, admitting that the design did not account for scenarios where the robot would be suspended and lose control. The placement of the battery and the method of powering down added layers of complexity to emergency procedures. Even attempts to forcibly cut the power could lead to unintentional injuries due to the inertia of the motors.
This is not the first time Cix has encountered such issues with his robots. Back in May, he faced a similar situation where the robot "suddenly fell." Now, many internet users are urging Cix to conduct a thorough post-incident analysis rather than rushing into fundraising, suggesting that the incident might have been a publicity stunt.
The incident has undoubtedly raised public concerns about the safety of robots. Reflecting on the DeREK episode, some have proposed that an ideal safety solution would involve multiple layers of protection to ensure the robot operates safely under all circumstances. After all, with the power these machines possess, safety must always be paramount.