Russian store robot video viral: Humanoid ‘attacks’ customer after being pushed

A strange incident at a Russian electronics store has gone viral after a humanoid robot allegedly attacked a customer who pushed it. The footage, posted by Volga Store 64 on Instagram on August 31, shows a man approaching the robot after entering the shop. What starts as an attempted greeting soon escalates into an odd confrontation.

The customer first shakes hands with a staff member before moving towards the humanoid machine. When the robot does not extend its arm in response, the man appears upset and gently pushes it. This action triggers a dramatic change in the situation. Almost instantly after being pushed, the robot begins moving towards the customer, adopting a defensive posture.

It starts swinging its arms and kicking, while the man tries to escape. The unexpected response leaves employees rushing to stop the robot. One employee tries to halt the machine, while another arrives from behind. Despite their efforts, the robot continues its aggressive movement and seems to direct it at the employees trying to control it.

The video ends with one of the workers grabbing the robot from behind and bringing it under control. The peculiar footage has sparked discussion online, with some joking about the "robot rebellion" starting in a Russian electronics store. However, the exact cause of the robot's movements remains uncertain. Potential explanations include a mechanical self-balancing response, a malfunctioning gyroscope or orientation system, remote-controlled behavior, or even a staged promotional video.

The robot was reportedly named Semyon and was presented as a consultant. While the clip has been widely shared as an example of a robot seemingly fighting back against a human, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. Nonetheless, the bizarre encounter has rekindled a familiar question: what happens when people interact with machines designed to move and respond like humans?