NEW YORK (VINnews) — A humanoid robot turned heads in Brooklyn Bridge Park after it was seen racing and playing alongside children, drawing both excitement and unease from onlookers in a scene that highlighted the growing presence of advanced robotics in public spaces.

A video circulating online shows the Unitree G1 humanoid robot weaving past joggers and benches as children laughed and ran alongside it. The robot appeared to move at a jogging pace, drawing attention from park visitors who stopped to film the interaction.

✨🇨🇳Unitree humanoid robot appears on the streets of New York. It is interacting with children outdoors. pic.twitter.com/YpHaUPFWmt

— 🇨🇳XuZhenqing徐祯卿 (@XueJia24682) March 27, 2026

The 4.3-foot-tall robot, developed by China-based Unitree Robotics, was launched in 2024 and is marketed for research and educational use. Reports indicate the model can cost around $44,000 in its education configuration and is designed for agile, human-like movement.

The robot has previously demonstrated advanced maneuvers in public demonstrations, including flips during entertainment events in China, contributing to its viral popularity online.

In Brooklyn, the scene prompted a mix of reactions from spectators. Some described the interaction as an entertaining glimpse of future technology, while others raised questions about safety and the appropriateness of autonomous machines operating near children in public parks.

Videos of the encounter quickly spread on social media, where users debated the role of humanoid robots in everyday urban life and whether such machines should be designed to closely mimic human movement.

The appearance underscores the rapid advancement of consumer-facing robotics and the increasing visibility of AI-driven machines in public settings.