--- title: "Video Shows Robot Attacking CEO" description: "The Chinese robotics firm EngineAI lets its humanoid robot loose on its CEO, whom it promptly proceeds to lay out." date: "2025-12-08" modified: "2025-12-08" authors: - name: "Frank Landymore" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/flandymore" url: "https://futurism.com/robots-and-machines/robot-attacks-ceo" categories: - "Robotics" - "Robots and Machines" --- # Video Shows Robot Attacking CEO ![The Chinese robotics firm EngineAI lets its humanoid robot loose on its CEO, whom it promptly proceeds to lay out.]() *Engine AI via X* AI robots turning on us and taking over the world is something on all of our minds right now. But would it be so bad if the machines went after CEOs first? We’re mulling over the prospect of such delicious schadenfreude after watching a new demonstration from the Chinese robotics startup EngineAI. Instead of having its T800 android shadowbox some pre-programmed martial arts moves — a stunt that many of its competitors have already [run into the ground]() — EngineAI lets its menacing android loose on the company’s head honcho, whom it promptly proceeds to kick the ever-living crap out of. In the [video](), CEO Zhao Tongyang bravely stands his ground in a ridiculous suit of armor as the T800 robot squares him up. The first kick misses its target when Tongyang backs out, **"**barely avoiding kissing the sole of T800’s feet,**"** a caption reads (which seemingly glosses over the fact that he nearly got his face caved in). The next kick, though? It smashes into his torso and sends Tongyang flying to the ground. **"**Too violent. Too brutal!**"** a shell shocked Tongyang exclaimed. **"**Without protective gear, no one could withstand it. Anyone would break a bone.**"** https://twitter.com/engineairobot/status/1997282466915303892 Robotics researchers have been putting their androids through all kinds of physical stunts to show off their capabilities. Earlier this year, the Chinese company Unitree demonstrated its popular G1 humanoid bot [whipping out some impressive looking kung-fu moves](). Others followed suit. In October, Elon Musk posted a video of Tesla’s Optimus robot fighting in a simulated bout with a martial artist, bragging that it was learning kung-fu. Other stunts include a [robot shooting hoops](), and another standing its ground [after taking a dropkick to the chest](). In any of these stunts, there will inevitably be claims of teleoperation — and the suspicion is warranted, given that many these companies try make their tech seem better than it is by presenting only pre-programmed moves or [letting a human control the bot]() behind the scenes. In fact, EngineAI released its latest video to rebuff accusations that a [promo featuring martial arts stunts]() was CGI. It also released behind the scenes footage of T800 apparently sparring with a human fighter. It’s a fun way to drum up hype, but it does also belie some serious safety concerns. If these bots are supposed to work or even live alongside humans, should they be powerful enough to inflict serious physical harm? The question seems to already be tearing up the industry. Last month, a former safety engineer at the US robotics firm Figure AI [sued his employer]() for allegedly firing him after he warned that its robots "were powerful enough to fracture a human skull." In one close call, a Figure bot suddenly malfunctioned and narrowly missed striking an employee, leaving a deep gash in the stainless steel door of a fridge, the suit claimed. The force of T800’s kick was enough to give CEO Tongyang second thoughts about putting himself in harm’s way again. "I can’t guarantee I’ll stay alive after the next test," he joked. **More on robots:** [*Amazing Video Shows Tesla Optimus Teleoperator Taking Off Headset, Causing Robot to Stumble and Collapse*]() ## Author At Futurism, my work has often centered on bringing a sense of clarity and insight to complex topics ranging from the regulation of emerging technologies to the esoteric ideologies of Silicon Valley executives, while striving not to lose the poetic sense of awe inspired by often-obscure fields like astrophysics and quantum computing. I broke the story of CNET using AI to produce articles that turned out to be riddled with factual errors and plagiarism — a dam-breaking inflection point, as I've reported, that's inspired copycats and endless discourse while beguiling stakeholders ranging from tech giants to purveyors of spam around the web. My work at Futurism has been cited by publications including CBS News, the Los Angeles Times, Vice, Gizmodo, Engadget, the Verge, and Vanity Fair. I grew up in locales ranging from India to China, and now live in the exotic suburbs of Virginia. In my free time, I'm an avid reader of weird sci-fi literature, an aficionado of East Asian cinema, and, regrettably, a relapsed gamer. Allegedly, I’m working on a debut novel, currently untitled. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()