Quirky China: robot plays dead for pesticide warnings; bot hugs girl, in-car toilet approved

In-vehicle, under-seat convenience gets nod from officials; robotic ‘park ranger’ sparks online stir; hugging automaton grabs student

A robot in a high-visibility vest carrying a loud hailer while patrolling a park in China’s northeastern Jilin province has caused much amusement online.

“We have sprayed pesticides in the park. It is highly poisonous,” the robot was exclaiming through the loud hailer.

The robot was also saying that when worms eat the pesticide it they instantly lie down and pretend to be dead, state media CCTV reported.

An official from the park said the robotic warnings were necessary because it was a prime time for locals to dig up wild vegetables, like dandelion, in the belief that they are more nutritious.

“We resorted to the robot nicknamed Mengzi and let him be a ‘humorous administrator’,” said the official. “We hope to remind the visitors to behave in a civilised manner and protect the environment as well.”