China's AI robot T-800 joins the police in patrolling the streets in wild video that looks like it's from the future
Published on May 15, 2026 at 5:27 AM (UTC-4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on May 22, 2026 at 4:39 AM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
China’s AI robot T-800 has officially joined police officers on patrol and the footage genuinely looks like the opening scene of a sci-fi movie.
Videos shared online showed the humanoid robot casually strolling through the streets of Shenzhen alongside armed police officers while stunned pedestrians stopped to film it on their phones.
And because the machine is literally called the T-800, people instantly started comparing it to The Terminator.
Thankfully, this version seems far more interested in crowd control than catching Sarah Connor.
China’s AI T-800 robot was spotted patrolling the streets
The futuristic patrol footage showed the robot walking shoulder-to-shoulder with police officers through busy public areas in Shenzhen, one of China’s biggest tech hubs.
Crowds gathered around the machine as it calmly moved through the streets, with some people even following behind just to get a closer look.
The humanoid robot was created by Chinese robotics company EngineAI and has already gone viral several times this year thanks to clips showing it performing kung fu moves, balancing tricks, and eerily human-like walking.
Standing around 5’8″ tall and weighing about 165 pounds, the robot can reportedly run, spin, kick, and perform advanced movements that make it look surprisingly lifelike.
Seeing it in real life, next to a real life police officer is a bit weird.
The viral patrol footage looked straight out of the Terminator
China has been rapidly expanding its investment into humanoid robotics over the last few years, with robots now appearing in factories, public demonstrations, marathons, and even traffic management experiments.
But the police patrol footage might be the most futuristic example yet.
Despite the dramatic Terminator comparisons, robots like the T-800 are still mainly being used for demonstrations, research, and limited support roles rather than replacing human officers entirely.
But still, seeing a humanoid robot walking the beat in one of the world’s busiest cities is enough to make anyone feel like they’re in the news footage montage at the start of an apocalypse movie.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
