"Help Pay My Electricity Bill"... 'Robot Beggar' Kneeling and Begging on the Streets in China Draws Attention

Humanoid Robot Draws Attention in Sichuan, China

Begging for Money, Saying "I Have No Money for Charging"

Some Donations Made via QR Code

A humanoid robot was spotted on a street in China begging passersby for money, asking them to "help pay the electricity bill." The scene has attracted significant public attention.

Robot Kneeling and Begging in China

A Chinese humanoid kneeling on the street, begging. X

According to reports from foreign media outlets such as India’s NDTV on June 22 (local time), a video recently spread on social media showing a humanoid robot kneeling on a sidewalk in Sichuan Province, China, begging pedestrians for money.

In the video, the robot was kneeling with its hands clasped, bowing its head toward passersby. In front of the robot, there was a small dish for cash as well as a QR code for digital payments. An LED sign and a speaker attached to the robot repeatedly broadcasted messages such as "I have no money to recharge" and "Please help pay the electricity bill."

Some pedestrians threw coins into the dish or scanned the QR code to transfer money. It was confirmed that this robot is the "Unitree G1," a humanoid model produced by Chinese robotics company Unitree.

As the video spread, netizens shared a variety of reactions. Some joked that "Even beggars are being replaced by robots now." However, it remains unclear whether the robot was actually begging or if it was a one-time event. Some speculated that it might be part of a company's marketing strategy or a form of performance art.

Humanoids Continue to Grow..."China in a Leading Position"

Humanoid robots performing a show. AijiBot YouTube, China

Meanwhile, China has been showcasing its robotic technology by hosting humanoid robot sports events and deploying large numbers of robots at the Spring Festival Gala.

This trend appears to be linked to the growth of the humanoid robot market. According to a report by market research firm IDC, global shipments of humanoid robots reached about 18,000 units last year, marking a 508% increase from the previous year. Sales reached approximately USD 440 million (KRW 64.17 billion).

Chinese companies led the shipment numbers. AijiBot and Unitree each supplied about 5,000 units, while many overseas companies have yet to reach mass production. IDC analyzed, "Chinese companies hold a leading position thanks to the support of China’s well-established industrial supply chain."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.