This Morning's Robot Demo Descends into Chaos as Harold Takes a Tumble
Viewers of ITV's This Morning were left in stitches after a much-hyped 'life-changing' robot spectacularly crashed to the ground during a live segment on Friday's programme. The incident occurred as Professor John Murray, a specialist in Robotics and Autonomous Systems from the University of Huddersfield, attempted to showcase the capabilities of a humanoid robot named Harold.
A Promising Start Turns Sour
Professor Murray joined hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary on the sofa, with Harold seated beside him, to discuss groundbreaking research into assisted living technologies. He explained that the university acquired Harold six months ago to explore how machines can interact with humans and provide future support in domestic settings.
The university has trained Harold using advanced artificial intelligence to perform tasks such as dancing and martial arts. Eager to witness these skills, Alison and Dermot encouraged a live demonstration. However, when Professor Murray reactivated the robot, it faltered almost immediately, lurching forward before collapsing onto the studio floor with a thud.
Studio Panic and Social Media Frenzy
The hosts reacted with a mix of shock and amusement. Dermot O'Leary exclaimed, 'No! What have we done?!' while Alison Hammond quickly quipped, 'He's been working all morning, remember!' A concerned Dermot then asked, 'John, is he OK?'
Professor Murray remained calm, attributing the fall to a 'controller error.' Harold, equipped with cameras and sensors, managed to right himself and proceeded to deliver an impressive martial arts display, much to the relief of the studio.
The mishap sparked a wave of reactions on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. One viewer posted, '#ThisMorning [laughing emojis],' while another commented, 'Even the robot has had enough.' A third dubbed it an 'Epic fail.. #thismorning.' Others found the segment highly entertaining, with one fan writing, 'Alison living her best life with Harold, is the joy you need on a Friday morning.'
The Serious Mission Behind the Comedy
Despite the humorous blunder, the segment highlighted Harold's significant purpose. When Dermot asked the robot why it enjoys helping people, Harold responded, 'I like helping people. It makes me feel incredibly happy. One day I hope me and my siblings can live in homes across the UK to help make life easier for those who need it.'
Professor Murray elaborated on this vision, revealing that the University of Huddersfield operates a fully equipped smart house laboratory where Harold navigates and learns to assist with daily tasks. 'That is exactly why we are developing it - to help people in the home,' he stated. The goal is for robots like Harold to aid with cooking, cleaning, unloading dishwashers, and even helping individuals out of bed within the next 10 to 15 years.
An Emotional Connection to Technology
The discussion took a heartfelt turn when Alison inquired if Professor Murray grows attached to Harold. He confessed, 'I got really upset when he fell over just then. My heart was just like in my chest. He's my baby!' He further explained that he personifies the robot, referring to it as Harold rather than merely 'the robot,' noting, 'It becomes a person, it's got a personality.'
This blend of cutting-edge technology, human error, and emotional resonance captivated audiences, underscoring both the promises and pitfalls of integrating robotics into everyday life. This Morning continues to air weekdays at 12:30 PM on ITV, often blending light entertainment with insightful explorations of modern innovations.
