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Eerie encounter captured on camera: Robot locks eyes with human in Dubai, waves back

A video of a robot that has gone viral on social media was captured at Dubai's Museum of the Future.

Published on: Aug 28, 2025, 10:30:01 IST
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When a visitor found themselves looking at a robot at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, they could have never imagined what was about to happen. The unassuming scene turned into an interesting moment when the robot waved back at the human looking at it.

A robot waving back at a human looking at it. (Screengrab)
A robot waving back at a human looking at it. (Screengrab)

Though initially posted on TikTok, the video has taken over social media, leaving people intrigued - and some scared. People posted varied remarks, from discussing the future of AI and robots to mentioning the robot apocalypse trope.

Also Read: ‘You’re freaking me out’: Viral video of humanoid robot sparks fear, critics call it ‘dystopian’

What does the video show?

The video, uploaded with an ominous-sounding tune, opens to show a text that reads, “The robot in Dubai spots someone looking… and waves back.”

A robot is seen in the video inside the museum going from one side to another. However, before disappearing behind a door, the robot looks down to see someone watching it. Instantly, the robot waves back.

Take a look at the video:

What did social media say?

An individual wrote, “ChatGPT is saying goodbye to me after listening to my problems all day.” Another said, “Guess what? There’s a real person operating this robot.” A third remarked, “This is awesome.”

Also Read: China’s first robot joins PhD programme in drama and film to study traditional opera

Robot explores Dubai road:

In a separate incident in Dubai, a robot was seen running across a street. The video, captured by a commuter from inside a car, soon took social media by storm. While many expressed their surprise, some took the route of hilarity, trying to guess where the robot was rushing off to.

The video shows the robot crossing a road with cars waiting for the traffic light to change. Initially, it seems like the robot is acting by itself. However, it soon becomes clear that it is controlled by an operator walking behind it.

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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