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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Crime & Justice

Robot kicks 5-year-old girl, costing her 4 teeth and requiring stitches

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A 5-year-old girl in China suffered severe injuries, including four lost milk teeth and a facial laceration, after being kicked by a robot during a science museum performance.
  • The incident occurred last November, and the girl's family is seeking 150,000 yuan (approximately $20,600 USD) in compensation for medical expenses and potential scarring.
  • Negotiations between the family, the science museum, and the robot operator have stalled, with no consensus reached on liability or compensation after nine months.

A robot's sudden "roundhouse kick" left a 5-year-old girl in China with four lost milk teeth and a stitched upper lip, raising concerns about permanent scarring. The incident happened last November when the girl was visiting a science museum in Xiangyang, Hubei province, with her kindergarten class.

The robot suddenly kicked me in the face.

— 5-year-old girlRecounting the moment of the accident.

During a robot performance, the machine unexpectedly swung its leg, striking the girl in the face. She immediately began bleeding and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors confirmed the loss of four milk teeth and damage to her gums. Her upper lip required stitches.

More than nine months later, the family is in a protracted dispute over compensation, demanding 150,000 yuan (about $20,600 USD) to cover medical costs, transportation, and potential future treatments for dental and scar repair. The mother stated that her daughter has endured repeated treatments and laser scar removal, but doctors believe the scar may be difficult to fully eliminate. The facial scar has also impacted the child's psychological well-being, making her withdrawn and reluctant to go out.

The scar may be difficult to fully eliminate.

— DoctorAssessing the potential for permanent scarring on the girl's face.

The science museum attributed the accident to the robot operator's failure to anticipate the safety distance during a performance and training session. However, the exact responsibilities and compensation proportions among the museum, the robot operating company, and the kindergarten remain undetermined, leaving the family in a difficult situation.

The operator did not properly anticipate the safety distance.

— Xiangyang Science MuseumExplaining the cause of the robot accident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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