Robots are no longer confined to factories, research laboratories or science fiction films. They're increasingly appearing in everyday life, from restaurants and shopping centres to public streets and sporting events.
Advances in artificial intelligence and robotics have brought a new generation of machines capable of walking, running, dancing and interacting with people.
China has become a major centre for these developments, with companies such as Unitree Robotics producing increasingly sophisticated humanoid robots. The machines have appeared in running races, performed synchronised dance routines and demonstrated their abilities in public.
It's a remarkable change from the industrial robots that have spent decades performing repetitive tasks on factory production lines.
Today's humanoid robots are designed to move through environments built for people, opening up the possibility of machines one day helping with household chores, deliveries, customer service and other everyday activities.
But the technology is still developing, and things don't always go according to plan.
Robots have been filmed stumbling during races, losing their balance during demonstrations and making a mess of seemingly simple tasks. Robot waiters have dropped food, while other machines have struggled to navigate obstacles that humans would barely notice.
These amusing mishaps offer a reminder that even the most advanced robots have plenty to learn.
They also provide a fascinating glimpse into how humans and machines are beginning to share the same spaces, with moments that can be impressive, surprising and sometimes downright hilarious.
As robots become more common in public places, these unscripted encounters are likely to become an increasingly familiar part of everyday life.
Watch the ViralPress compilation above on our YouTube channel for a selection of entertaining robot encounters, from impressive demonstrations to unexpected failures.
Media publishers and broadcasters can also explore the Radical Robots collection in the ViralPress video library for continually updated original footage of robots in action, available for licensing worldwide.
