Most downtowns have seen their share of sidewalk oddities—human statues, couples’ quarrels and exotic animals—but on Sept. 23, Lemon Avenue added a new one: a humanoid robot strolling down the street like it was out for an evening constitutional. Blue LED bands glowed on its helmet, its mechanical joints moved in deliberate rhythm, and heads turned as it passed.
Local resident and photographer Kathleen Fuller was among the stunned onlookers. She pulled out her phone and captured the scene. “I was at [Corona Cigar Bar] and was shocked when I saw it walking around,” she says.
In the background of her video, Fuller can be heard asking if anyone was controlling the robot. No one answered. Later, she noticed that a man in a gray T-shirt, standing just in front of her, appeared to be holding a remote. “I was focused on the robot and his back was to me, so I didn’t see the remote until I stopped the video,” she says…