Robot Escapes Russian Laboratory in Apparent Run for Freedom

It’s probably something we all secretly fear: a robot uprising in which our creations overpower and overtake us. Although it seems far-fetched to us now, some people in Russia may have gotten a small taste of what such an event would look like.

On June 15, a robot escaped from a robotics lab in the city of Perm, Russia. An employee left a gate open, and the robot bolted into the street, causing a traffic jam.

The robot reportedly ran out of battery life in the middle of the street, about 50 feet away from the lab, according to local Russian media. All in all, the robot enjoyed around 40 minutes of freedom.

Promobot, the company that created the robot, touts the Promobot as a more efficient alternative to actual promotional employees. According to their website, the robot was originally designed to interact with people, roam around its environment, and serve as a promotional spectacle at live events.

The robot can also supposedly navigate crowded streets, offer directions, answer questions and translate, Promobot said.

But for as much credit as the company gives their robot, the BBC says that it likely just broadcasts promo audio from its speakers — and that this entire ordeal was simply a publicity stunt.