Latest news with #Protoclone
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘Is AI rebellion in the room': Humanoid robot turns violent, attacks factory workers in eerie video
In what looked like a scene straight out of a dystopian sci-fi film, a humanoid robot recently malfunctioned at a factory in China, unleashing chaos and alarming onlookers, reported FOX News. The moment was captured in eerie footage that quickly went viral, drawing over 100,000 views on X and sparking widespread online debate. The incident took place at a factory in China.(X/@AI_Archive_) The incident occurred at an undisclosed factory where the robot, suspended from a construction crane, suddenly began flailing its limbs violently while two men nearby looked on in confusion and alarm. The footage, reported by Jam Press, shows the robot thrashing about erratically, resembling a rejected prototype from a 'Robocop' film. Also read: Rare predator caught on camera: Snow leopard casually strolls past stunned tourists in Spiti Valley As the scene unfolded, the robot lurched forward, swinging wildly and dragging its stand along the factory floor. The men scrambled to avoid being struck by the flailing machine. In the midst of the chaos, the robot toppled to the ground, knocking several items off a nearby table. The clip ends with one of the men cautiously repositioning the machine's stand in an effort to regain control. The internet was quick to draw comparisons to classic robot rebellion narratives. 'This is what the machine uprising might look like,' wrote a user in their caption of the video. Take a look at the video: 'Went full terminator,' said one user, while another ominously commented, 'Sarah Connor was f–king right.' One viewer even linked the unsettling event to growing concerns in medical technology: 'This is what worries me about robotic surgery,' they wrote, pointing to the increasing presence of robotic systems in operating rooms. This alarming episode comes at a time when humanoid robots are being integrated more deeply into daily life. Earlier this year, Chinese tech firm Pudu Robotics introduced the D9, a robot capable of walking at 4.5 mph, climbing stairs, and maintaining balance when pushed — features that mirror human behaviour more closely than ever. Also read: Navi Mumbai techie offers unusual service: will live in your flat without paying rent In February, Clone Robotics showcased the 'Protoclone,' a highly realistic bipedal robot modelled with a musculoskeletal design. Though intended to perform helpful tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and chatting, many viewers found the bot's lifelike appearance disturbing. Described by some as 'dystopian' and 'terrifying', these increasingly sophisticated machines are pushing the boundaries of what robotics can do and prompting new questions about where we're headed.
Fox News
11-03-2025
- Science
- Fox News
Creepy humanoid robot moves using 1,000 eerie artificial muscles
Clone Robotics, a Polish-American company, has recently unveiled its groundbreaking humanoid robot, Protoclone, sparking both fascination and unease across the internet. This eerily lifelike android represents a significant advancement in biomimetic robotics, closely replicating human anatomy and movement in ways never before seen. With its unsettlingly realistic movements, Protoclone is pushing the boundaries of what we expect from robots, raising both intrigue and questions about the future of robotics. Protoclone stands at an impressive 6 feet tall and boasts a skeleton made of 206 polymer bones, mirroring the human skeletal structure. What truly sets this robot apart is its muscular system, featuring over 1,000 artificial muscles powered by Clone Robotics' proprietary "Myofiber" technology. The Myofiber system is a revolutionary approach to robotic movement. Each artificial muscle consists of a mesh tube containing an air-filled balloon. When hydraulic fluid is pumped into the balloon, it expands, causing the mesh to contract, much like a human muscle. This system is powered by a 500-watt electric pump, Protoclone's mechanical "heart," capable of circulating fluid at a rate of 40 liters per minute. Protoclone's nervous system is equally impressive, featuring four depth cameras in the skull for vision, 70 inertial sensors for joint position awareness and 320 pressure sensors for force feedback. This advanced sensory network allows the robot to process visual input and learn by observing human activities. The recent video release of Protoclone in action has garnered millions of views and sparked intense online debate. In the footage, the faceless android is seen suspended from the ceiling, its limbs twitching and moving in an unsettlingly human-like manner. While some viewers have expressed awe at the technological achievement, others have reacted with discomfort or even hostility. Comments range from comparisons to "sleep paralysis demons" to references to dystopian science fiction scenarios. Despite its impressive capabilities, Protoclone is still in early development. Currently, it requires suspension for stability and lacks the ability to stand or balance independently. Clone Robotics plans to launch production with 279 units, named "Clone Alpha," with pre-orders opening in late 2025. While Protoclone's current iteration may be more unsettling than practical, it's clear that we're on the cusp of a new era in robotics. As these technologies continue to advance, we'll likely see more refined and capable humanoid robots entering our homes and workplaces. The question remains: Are we ready for this future, and how will it reshape our relationship with technology? Does the appearance and movement of Protoclone fascinate or unsettle you? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Can somebody let this robot down?
It's not clear that anyone was asking for a company to build a muscular, sinewy robot or to see a video of it dangling, helpless from a hook, but life is full of surprises and this YouTube video of Clone Robotics' "Protoclone" is here all the same. The Protoclone appears to be a prototype version of the "Clone" robot the aptly named Clone Robotics is working to build. The video shows the Protoclone flexing its arms and legs, with visible artificial muscle fibers moving underneath its white "skin." Based on Clone Robotic's video description, the impressive part here is that fact that the Protoclone has "over 200 degrees of freedom, over 1,000 Myofibers, and over 200 sensors," and also that the robot is "faceless," for some reason. The end goal for the startup is to build an android that's anatomically correct, with synthetic nervous, skeletal, muscular and vascular systems powering its movement. The "Myofibers" included in the Protoclone are a custom Clone Robotics creation with "the desirable qualities of mammalian skeletal muscle." For the eventual Clone robot's purposes, those qualities are the ability to "respond in less than 50 ms with a bigger than 30 percent unloaded contraction" and "at least a kilogram of contraction force for a single, three gram muscle fiber," according to Clone Robotics' website. That the Protoclone is dangling in the video rather than roaming around of its own accord is a reflection of its prototype nature. Robots are often hung or propped up with a support arm until they can support their own body weight, something that can be hard to achieve without all of the right materials. Clone Robotics is not unique in pursuing a human-like robot that could theoretically replace human workers. Figure is exploring a similar idea, minus the muscles. Tesla started off on the wrong foot with a person in a spandex suit, but it's serious about robots, too. Even the largest of tech companies have turned their attention to robots: Both Meta and Apple are reportedly exploring robotics as a future product category. It's fair to say Clone Robotics is winning when it comes to posting videos of muscular robots, though.
Express Tribune
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Clone Robotics unveil "Protoclone', a faceless android with lifelike movements that can "bleed to death" if stabbed
Clone Robotics, a Polish startup, has introduced Protoclone, a faceless musculoskeletal android with astonishingly lifelike movements. The prototype, still in development, is designed to mimic the natural human gait using synthetic muscles beneath translucent skin. The six-foot robot has over 500 sensors and 1,000 artificial muscle fibers, making it capable of intricate movements, but it still faces skepticism from the public due to its unsettling appearance. A video shared by the company shows Protoclone twitching its limbs, hanging from the ceiling with a bowed head, while ominous music plays in the background. While some viewers find the robot's lifelike motions fascinating, others are disturbed by its faceless design, leading to comparisons with 'sleep paalysis demons'. One social media user humorously suggested, "Can you just draw a smiley face on the head, please?" Can you just draw a smiley face on the head, please? — Jan Boon (@kaetemi) February 19, 2025 This is my sleep paralysis demon — Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) February 19, 2025 Has any one read Shelley's Frankenstein — Andrea Laudate🇻🇦 (@AndreaLaudate) February 20, 2025 Hanging it was a good choice. Now leave it there and never let it loose. 😂 — Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) February 19, 2025 While every normal person looks at dystopian sci-fi films as cautionary tales, nerds see them as instruction manuals. — Mann Made Cinema (@Hotshot_Movie) February 19, 2025 The company has made bold claims about Protoclone's capabilities, highlighting its synthetic human features like fake bones, joints, tendons, and muscles. However, the prototype is not yet able to walk unaided like its competitors, such as Tesla's Optimus or Boston Dynamics' Atlas. Despite this, Clone Robotics aims to develop robots capable of performing complex tasks like pouring drinks, doing laundry, and vacuuming floors. The co-founder of Clone Robotics mentioned on X that "you can stab it with a fork and it will bleed out," a statement that further fueled public intrigue and concern. You can stab it with a fork and it will bleed out — Necromancer (@dhanushisrad) February 20, 2025 The company, founded in Wrocław in 2021, aims to push the boundaries of human-level androids to revolutionize daily life, though the release date for Protoclone remains unknown.
