Viral rogue robot sparks new AI safety fears
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER
In the viral clip, the full-sized humanoid robot named DeREX is suspended from a crane inside a factory in China. Surrounded by two handlers, it suddenly starts thrashing its limbs without warning. The force is so intense it knocks over nearby equipment and nearly causes the crane to collapse.
As chaos unfolds, one stunned observer shouts, "Oh my god, what the (expletive) was that?" Another technician replies, "What the (expletive) did you guys run?" The dramatic exchange, captured on video, has only deepened speculation.
Cix Liv, the robot handler who shared the footage on X, offered a possible explanation, saying, "The technical reason is we ran a full-body policy while the feet weren't touching the ground. Don't do that."
In other words, the robot was executing full-body movements without contact with the floor, triggering a dangerous cascade of erratic behavior.
We reached out to Unitree for comment but did not hear back before our deadline.
This isn't the first viral incident involving a humanoid robot from Unitree. A similar event occurred in May, when another H1 model violently malfunctioned during a test. The robot began flailing in midair, scattering lab equipment and sending engineers scrambling.
And, earlier this year, a separate Unitree humanoid startled crowds at a festival in China when it suddenly lurched toward a safety barrier. Although security acted fast, the robot's aggressive motion left many in the crowd visibly shaken.
The Unitree H1 is commercially available. It stands nearly 6 feet tall, weighs 104 pounds and can perform backflips, run and lift heavy objects. Each joint delivers a whopping 365 pound-feet of torque.
That's enough to cause serious harm if anything goes wrong. Even small glitches in balance or software can appear threatening due to the robot's human-like size and shape. Experts warn that these movements, though technically correct from the robot's perspective, can seem violent or unpredictable to nearby humans.
If you've ever wondered whether robots could one day pose a real-world threat, this footage doesn't help ease those fears. As advanced machines move from research labs to commercial use, the risks become more real. Whether it's robot security, AI-powered assistants or automated delivery bots, safety testing will need to scale rapidly to keep up. These incidents demonstrate that powerful hardware combined with flawed software can have dangerous consequences.
The rogue robot video was real, unfiltered and unsettling. It's a reminder that while robots are becoming more capable, they're still not perfect and are sometimes unpredictable. As AI and robotics evolve, the line between useful and dangerous is becoming increasingly blurred. Regulation, transparency and safety testing can't be afterthoughts.
Are we moving too fast with humanoid robotics, or is this just part of progress? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER
Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
9 hours ago
- Fox News
159-year-old company embraces driverless trucks
A bold new pilot program is bringing autonomous trucking to the heart of Texas. Steves & Sons, a sixth-generation American door maker, just partnered with autonomous freight startup Bot Auto and logistics giant J.B. Hunt. The goal? Launch a real-world test of driverless freight deliveries between San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. That means robots are about to hit some of the country's busiest shipping lanes, with doors in tow. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my For over 150 years, Steves & Sons has delivered high-quality millwork to builders and homeowners. Now, it's making history again, this time by modernizing the supply chain. The pilot will use Bot Auto's driverless trucks to carry freight between manufacturing plants and customers. These are not fantasy test runs. These are real orders, real deliveries and real stakes. J.B. Hunt, which already manages logistics for Steves & Sons, will oversee how autonomous freight fits into their broader transportation system. More than 70% of U.S. freight moves by truck. Rising costs, driver shortages and tight delivery windows all add pressure. Bot Auto claims its technology can do more than keep up; it can outperform. Its Level 4 autonomy doesn't need a driver in the cab. That means longer hauls, fewer delays and potentially lower costs. The big takeaway? Autonomy is moving from hype to hardware. If you're in manufacturing, retail or logistics, this pilot is a sign of things to come. Autonomous trucking could soon reduce shipping costs, shrink delivery windows and reshape how supply chains are built. And for consumers? It might mean faster delivery of big-ticket items like doors, furniture or appliances. Steves & Sons is betting that smart logistics will make it even more competitive and more sustainable. This move marks more than a tech test; it's a signal. Steves & Sons, J.B. Hunt and Bot Auto are rethinking what freight delivery can be. They're putting automation to work in a high-volume, real-world setting that could serve as a model nationwide. Autonomous trucking still has hurdles to clear, including regulation, safety and public trust. But this Texas pilot could be one of the first true benchmarks of commercial viability. Would you trust an autonomous truck to deliver your next major purchase or share the highway with one? Let us know by writing to us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Fox News
13 hours ago
- Fox News
Don't fall for this bank phishing scam trick
That bank email in your inbox might look legitimate, but it could be a dangerous scam designed to steal your personal information. We recently received one ourselves, and it's alarmingly convincing. It warns of an unrecognized device trying to sign in and urges you to "verify your activity" via a provided link. While it appears helpful, this email is anything but safe. In reality, it's part of a growing wave of phishing attacks that mimic trusted companies like Chase. These emails are loaded with deceptive links that lead to malware infections, and the consequences can be severe. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my This scam starts with what looks like a typical security alert from Chase or another bank. The email claims someone tried to log in from an unknown device. To "protect" your account, it asks you to confirm your identity by clicking a link. Clicking the link launches a fake webpage designed to distract you while a hidden file quietly runs in the background. This file is often an HTA file, a type of HTML application commonly used to deliver malware. It then drops a DLL file onto your computer, essentially a backdoor that opens your system to hackers. From there, the malware uses a technique called Reflective DLL Injection to inject malicious code directly into your browser's memory. This allows attackers to: This scam isn't just trying to scare you; it's designed to take full control. Scammers rely on urgency and fear to prompt you into quick action. Here's how to recognize a phishing attempt like this: You don't need to be a tech expert to avoid falling for phishing scams. A few simple habits can go a long way in protecting your identity, finances and devices. Here are some essential steps anyone can follow: Never click on links in unsolicited emails. Instead, type the official website URL into your browser or use the company's verified app. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication on all sensitive accounts. This adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for hackers to break in. These services help you remove your personal information from data broker sites that scammers may use to craft convincing phishing attacks. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: A trusted password manager helps you create strong, unique passwords for every site and stores them securely so you don't have to remember them all. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 here at Regularly update your operating system, browser and all apps to close security gaps that hackers often exploit. Many phishing attacks rely on outdated software to launch malware, so turning on automatic updates is one of the easiest ways to stay protected. If an email pushes urgency, like a locked account or an unfamiliar login, slow down. Contact the company directly using a number or email from its official website. Always hover over the sender's name to check the actual email address. If it ends in something like @ and claims to be from a major bank, it's likely fake. Phishing scams like this Chase bank email are getting harder to spot. They look professional, include real logos and mimic the tone of official messages. But with a few safety habits, you can protect yourself from even the most convincing attempts. Would you click the link without thinking, or would you pause and investigate? Let us know how you handle suspicious emails and whether you've seen scams like this in your inbox lately by writing to us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
CAPTCHAgeddon signals a dangerous shift
What looks like a simple "Are you human?" check is now one of the most dangerous tricks on the internet. Fake captchas have evolved into full-blown malware launchpads, thanks to a sneaky new method called ClickFix. It copies commands to your clipboard and tricks you into running them, without ever downloading a file. This shift in attack tactics is so big that researchers are calling it "CAPTCHAgeddon." It's not just a new scam. It's a viral malware delivery system that's more convincing, stealthy, and widespread than anything before it. Let's break down how this new wave of attacks works and what makes it so hard to stop. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Back in 2024, security experts warned about fake browser update pop-ups. Victims were told to download files that turned out to be malware. But those tricks are now outdated. Enter ClickFix. Instead of asking users to install something, ClickFix loads a fake CAPTCHA screen. It looks legit, just like Google reCAPTCHA or Cloudflare's bot checks. But when you click "verify," it secretly copies a malicious PowerShell or shell script to your clipboard. From there, you're just one paste away from installing malware that steals your accounts, passwords, and files. This new trick is more convincing than any old download prompt. And it's spreading like wildfire. Fake captchas didn't stay in sketchy ad pop-ups for long. Attackers realized they could hide these tricks in places people already trust: Each attack blends into the site or service it mimics. Some CAPTCHAS even display site logos, making the trick look like it came from the page itself. This isn't a spray-and-pray scheme anymore. It's targeted social engineering wrapped in sleek design. These aren't low-effort scams. Attackers constantly evolve their tactics to avoid detection. Here's what makes this malware so stealthy: Attackers also serve the payloads through trusted-looking domains and even legitimate-looking JavaScript libraries. Security researchers at Guardio didn't just look at one attack. They analyzed thousands. By clustering command structures, domains, and payload patterns, they identified multiple threat actors using similar tactics, each with a slightly different twist. Some groups use heavily obfuscated code. Others go for speed with clean, readable scripts. But all of them rely on the same core trick: fooling you into clicking something that seems harmless. These new ClickFix scams are stealthy, convincing, and hard to detect, but you can stay safe with the right habits and tools. Here's what to do immediately: Always run the latest version of your browser and operating system. Updates patch security holes that attackers exploit. Also, use a strong antivirus software and keep it updated. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at If a site asks you to paste a command into your terminal or browser console, stop. That's the main delivery method for ClickFix malware. Legitimate services will never ask you to do this. Phishing campaigns are hiding fake CAPTCHAs in legit-looking URLs on Reddit, GitHub, and even news sites. Always hover over links before clicking and double-check the domain, especially if prompted to "verify you're human." These attacks often target users whose emails or personal details are already circulating online. These services can reduce your digital footprint by requesting removal from data broker sites. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren't cheap - and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It's what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Modern browsers like Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera offer real-time protection that blocks malicious websites, including fake CAPTCHA pages. Microsoft Edge also includes strong phishing defenses through its SmartScreen filter. Make sure features like Enhanced Safe Browsing or SmartScreen are turned on. These tools detect threats before you click, giving you a critical layer of defense. Password managers don't just store your logins; they can also alert you when a site looks suspicious. If your manager won't autofill a password on a CAPTCHA screen or login page, that's a red flag. It usually means the site isn't recognized as legitimate. This small moment of hesitation can help you avoid falling for a scam. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at If you land on a shady CAPTCHA page, don't just close the tab; report it. Most browsers have a "Report a security issue" option, or you can use Google Safe Browsing ( Flagging malicious pages helps stop the scam from spreading and protects others from falling victim to the same trap. Most people don't know about these clipboard-based attacks. Share this article and talk about it. Raising awareness can stop the scam from spreading. CAPTCHAgeddon marks a turning point. Malware isn't just hiding in shady downloads anymore. It's hiding in plain sight, on familiar websites, in trusted apps, and inside the buttons you click every day. This trend replaces the fake browser update scam entirely. It's smarter, faster, and harder to detect. And unless we understand how it spreads, it will only grow. Security now means thinking twice about the everyday. Even a CAPTCHA. Have you ever encountered a suspicious CAPTCHA or a strange prompt online? What tipped you off, or did you almost fall for it? Let us know by writing to us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
