Controversy Erupts as Saudi Humanoid Robot ‘Muhammad’ Appears to Inappropriately Touch Female Reporter

The debut of Muhammad, Saudi Arabia’s first humanoid male robot, took a surprising turn when it appeared to inappropriately touch a female reporter during a presentation at DeepFest in Riyadh. The incident, captured in a viral video, sparked controversy and accusations of misconduct towards the robot.

Despite the unexpected behavior, QSS, the Saudi AI and robotics firm behind Muhammad, defended the robot’s actions, stating that it was “fully autonomous” and did not deviate from its expected behavior. The company also emphasized that they had proactively informed attendees, including reporters, to maintain a safe distance from the robot during its demonstration.

The incident highlights the growing presence of humanoid robots in the AI industry, with experts predicting a market worth $13.8 billion by 2028. While the incident with Muhammad may have raised concerns, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of establishing clear guidelines and boundaries when it comes to human-robot interactions.

As the technology continues to advance, it will be crucial for companies like QSS to prioritize safety and ethical considerations to ensure that humanoid robots like Muhammad can be integrated into society responsibly and respectfully.