US man buys AI robots from Temu to find out what could possibly go wrong

Published on Mar 17, 2026 at 7:03 AM (UTC-4)
by Daisy Edwards

Last updated on Mar 17, 2026 at 1:03 PM (UTC-4)
Edited by Emma Matthews

US man buys AI robots from Temu to find out what could possibly go wrong
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A US man decided to buy three AI robots from Temu to find out what could possibly go wrong, and the results were every bit as chaotic as you’d hope.

After ordering three strange budget-friendly robot toys, including an ‘AI-powered’ puppy, he put each one to the test to see whether they were futuristic marvels or complete disasters.

What followed was a lot of barking, dancing, shouting, and one especially frustrating remote control.

In the end, the cheapest and weirdest toy of the bunch somehow stole the show.

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US man buys AI robots from Temu

The first gadget out of the box was a small robot puppy that was advertised with a picture of a real dog.

For just $14, expectations were already fairly low, but the little robot still managed to surprise everyone, and not always in a good way.

It was one of those toy puppies that squeaked and walked around that every kid wanted for Christmas in the ’90s; it had no AI capabilities whatsoever.

Instead of acting like a clever companion, the Temu gadget mostly barked every time its mouth moved and made a racket that quickly became impossible to ignore.

Its leash looked unsettling as a small bit of red ribbon, the design was more creepy than cute, and the power switch was placed in such an awkward spot that even turning it off became part of the struggle.

Still, there was something hilariously entertaining about it.

The robot dog may not have had advanced features or any real intelligence, but it absolutely was entertaining.

Even after being punched during the testing, it kept making bizarre noises and somehow earned the title of unexpected fan favorite.

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‘Your mother’

The second robot, priced at around $16, looked much more like a classic toy robot and actually came packed with surprising features.

It could dance, play music, record voices, respond to some gestures, and move around with a remote.

It also spoke in odd little phrases that made the whole experience feel even stranger, especially when it recorded the YouTuber saying ‘your mother’ and kept repeating it back to him.

Then came the biggest and most expensive robot of the group at $36.

This one had flashy packaging, more moving parts, touch-sensitive features, changing eye expressions, and a much busier remote.

But despite looking more advanced, it turned out to be the most frustrating of them all, thanks to loud sounds, awkward controls, short battery life, and movements that seemed to happen whether anyone wanted them to or not.

In a twist nobody would have predicted, the cheapest robot dog ended up being the most memorable toy of the lot, but the cheaper, more classic-looking robot was more advanced.

It just shows that when you buy AI robots from Temu, you truly don’t know what you’re in for.

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.