Humanoid robot in Warsaw video goes viral after chasing wild boars

In short: A video of a humanoid robot in Warsaw chasing wild boars off the street has gone viral, turning the robot into a local social media celebrity.

What's going on

A clip shared online shows a humanoid robot, meaning a robot shaped roughly like a person with arms and legs, moving toward wild boars on a street in Warsaw. The animals back away and leave the area. The video spread quickly on social media.

The Financial Times reports the robot has also been described as Poland’s first “robotic influencer.” In everyday terms, that means it is being used like a public face for online posts, similar to how a popular person might promote content, except this time it is a machine. The report also mentions the robot wearing a Rolex watch in the viral video.

It is not clear from the available information how much the robot is doing on its own versus being directed by a person nearby. Many robots that look human still rely on remote control or careful programming for specific actions, like a prop in a movie that can walk and wave but does not fully think for itself.

What to watch

Cities and companies are testing robots in more public places, from shops to events. The big question is whether these robots will mainly be used for attention and marketing, like a moving billboard, or for practical work such as safety patrols and simple assistance. If more videos like this spread, public pressure may grow for clearer rules on where robots can operate and who is responsible if something goes wrong.

Source: Financial Times