Watch: Futuristic or Frightening? Robot dog's mall visit sparks debate

In a moment that left many stunned and reaching for their phones, a robot dog casually walking on a leash through San Antonio’s Rivercenter Mall has sparked widespread attention online.

The unexpected sight, caught on camera by a local TikTok user, has since triggered a wave of reactions across social media, from fascination to outright discomfort.The incident took place on the night of Tuesday, May 27, around 9 p.m., when the TikTok page San Antonio Lifestyle recorded the scene and shared it with their followers. As the robot walked past shops and unsuspecting mall goers, the creator’s startled reaction was heard clearly in the video: “What in the hell is that?”“It’s scary to know the future is here”Speaking to MySA, the person behind the viral video said, “We had never seen one before and our first impression was disbelief.

It's scary to know the future is here.” The clip shows the robot being led through the mall by a person, with several onlookers visibly taken aback.Watch the video here:

At one point, the robot stops abruptly and begins stomping in place– a movement that seemed to confuse both its handler and those watching. The content creator can be heard reacting further, saying, “Dude, that’s so crazy,” as the robot hesitates before slowly moving again.

Speculated to be a Unitree Go2 robotAccording to the report presented by MySA, while the exact model of the robot hasn’t been confirmed, several viewers pointed out that its appearance– including its size, leg design and the number “2” near its head– closely matches that of the Unitree Go2.According to Unitree and as quoted by MySA, the Go2 robot features a built-in front camera, 12 knee-joint motors, and a lamp that lights up its path. It is also capable of performing various motions like jumping, sitting, stretching, or pouncing.

According to the TikTok creator, “they can hear the robot making a dog noise,” which further added to the surprise of the moment.Reportedly a regular visitor at the mallAlthough the robot's owner did not interact with the people filming, the video creator told MySA, “We didn’t talk to them, but according to the comments we received, they [the robot and its owners] frequent Rivercenter often.”The robot’s movements and lifelike gestures drew mixed reactions from shoppers and viewers alike– many of whom had never seen such a device in a public space before.Online reactions: Mixed feelings and uneaseThe internet was quick to respond. One viewer commented on the viral video, “Yeah, I’m running after seeing that.” Another video, shared two days later on May 29, shows the robot dog walking closer to the San Antonio River. That prompted one user to write, “It’s giving Austin invading San Antonio.”Robot dogs are not new to Texas streetsThough this may be a first for many in San Antonio, robot dogs have previously been spotted in other parts of Texas. According to earlier reports, in 2022, the University of Texas at Austin deployed similar machines for on-campus delivery services. More recently, a video showing a robot dog interacting with real dogs in an Austin park gained attention– and criticism.One user, reacting to that clip, said, “I couldn’t hate these things more.”