Visitors to Port de Sóller got an unexpected glimpse of the future at the weekend when a humanoid robot walked along the seafront in the Santa Catalina area of the port.
The robot moved along the promenade under its own power, weaving between pedestrians, crossing the road and passing the harbour, while a person followed a few steps behind, apparently supervising.
Crowds and phones
Dozens of residents and tourists stopped to watch, and many filmed the scene. Clips of the robot’s walk were widely shared on social media, attracting thousands of views and plenty of comments, from amazement to unease.
It was not clear who was behind the appearance or whether it was a technical trial, a demonstration or a publicity stunt. No company or organisation had claimed responsibility at the time of writing.
How such robots work
Walking humanoid robots of this kind use cameras and sensors to detect obstacles and people, and software to plan a route and adjust their balance and speed as they move. Public trials normally take place with a human operator close by who can stop the robot if anything goes wrong — as appeared to be the case in Sóller.
Several manufacturers, particularly in China and the United States, have begun selling humanoid robots to companies and research centres, and demonstrations in public spaces are becoming more frequent as firms look for attention and real-world testing.
Mixed reactions
Most onlookers seemed fascinated, but some raised questions about what robots like this could mean for jobs, privacy and safety in public places. In Spain, there is currently no specific regulation covering autonomous robots walking on public streets, and their use falls under general rules on public safety and liability.
For now, a robot strolling past the fishing boats in Port de Sóller remains a novelty rather than a sign of things to come — but it gave the port’s visitors something to talk about.
