Bahrain's Robotic King: Fact Or Fiction?

A viral video on social media claims to show the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, walking with a robot bodyguard. The video, which has garnered millions of views and reactions, is, however, false and misleading. The footage does not show the King of Bahrain but another man walking past an entertainment robot named Titan at a 2019 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The man in the video is not the King of Bahrain

Firstly, the man in the video does not resemble the King of Bahrain. The ruler, as seen in photos, typically sports a mustache, whereas the man in the video has a full beard.

Secondly, the video was not recorded in Dubai but in Abu Dhabi, another emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was taken at the International Defense Exhibition in February 2019. The robot, named "Titan," was present at the exhibition to entertain attendees and has no association with the King of Bahrain.

Titan, standing at 8 feet tall, is an entertainment robot created by the British company Cyberstein Robots. It is a partially mechanized robot costume worn by a human actor, who controls its movements and electronic functions. Cyberstein has never sold Titan but offers it for bookings at various events worldwide.

The viral video is a clear example of misinformation spreading on social media, with people perceiving it as fact. However, it is important to fact-check such claims and scrutinize the details to identify false information.

The robot is not a bodyguard

A viral video has been making the rounds on social media, claiming to show the King of Bahrain, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, arriving in Dubai with a robot bodyguard. The robot, according to the video description, is worth US$7.4 million, can speak six languages, and is armed with an array of weapons, including machine guns, tasers, and laser-guided sniper guns. However, this claim is false, and multiple sources have debunked it.

Firstly, the man in the video is not the King of Bahrain. The ruler of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, sports a moustache, whereas the man in the video has a full beard.

Secondly, the robot in the video is not a bodyguard but rather an entertainment robot named Titan, created by the British company Cyberstein Robots. Cyberstein specializes in interactive live entertainment robots that are designed to be funny and adaptable for various events. Titan has appeared on several TV shows, including Britain's Got Talent and Big Brother, and has performed at numerous conferences and live events.

Furthermore, the video was not recorded in Dubai but in Abu Dhabi, another emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The footage was taken at the International Defense Exhibition in February 2019, where Titan was hired to greet and entertain attendees. The robot is adorned with the UAE flag, not the flag of Bahrain, as one would expect if it belonged to the King of Bahrain.

Finally, Titan is not a fully autonomous robot but rather a humanoid robot costume worn by a human actor who controls its movements and electronic functions. It does not contain any weapons and weighs only 60 kg, making the claim of it being a heavily-armed bodyguard even more far-fetched.

In conclusion, the viral video claiming to show the King of Bahrain with a robot bodyguard is false and is another example of misinformation spreading on social media. The man in the video is not the King of Bahrain, and Titan the Robot is an entertainment robot, not a bodyguard.

The robot is called Titan

Titan is a partially mechanised robot costume that stands at approximately eight feet tall and weighs 60 kg. The weight increases to 350 kg when the cart it rides on and onboard equipment are included. The robot is controlled by a human actor who moves its appendages and controls its electronic functions, such as light and sound effects. Cyberstein, the company behind Titan, does not sell the robot, but it can be booked to perform at various events worldwide.

The viral video that sparked the discussion about the King of Bahrain's supposed robot bodyguard was recorded on 19 February 2019, at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi. The video description and various social media posts claimed that the man in the video was the King of Bahrain and that the robot was his $7.4 million bodyguard. However, the man in the video is not the King of Bahrain, and the robot, Titan, is not his bodyguard.

Titan has appeared at several notable events and shows, including the Glastonbury music festival in 2004, Britain's Got Talent, and Big Brother. The robot has also performed in over 50 countries and is known for its comedic antics, making it a popular choice for family and corporate entertainment.

The video was recorded in Abu Dhabi

The video that sparked the rumours of the King of Bahrain having a robot bodyguard was recorded in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The event was the International Defence Exhibition, which took place in February 2019.

The exhibition is an annual event meant to showcase defence industry-related products. The exhibition took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, with "Etimad Holding L.L.C" branding visible on the floor in the video. ETIMAD is a technology solutions and services company based in Abu Dhabi.

The robot in the video is called Titan, an eight-foot-tall, 60kg robot created by British company Cyberstein Robots. It is a partially mechanised robot costume worn by a human actor who moves its appendages and controls its electronic functions. Cyberstein offers other robotic entertainers that can be booked for special events.

Titan has appeared on several TV shows, including Britain's Got Talent and Big Brother, and has performed in over 50 countries. The robot speaks both English and Arabic and is known for its comedic antics. It is not a real robot, nor is it for sale.

The robot was created by Cyberstein Robots

Cyberstein's most famous robot is Titan, a partially mechanised robot costume that stands at 8 feet tall and weighs 60 kg. This weight increases to 350 kg when the cart it rides on and onboard equipment are included. The robot is enhanced by various actuators and electronic devices, resembling a humanoid robot. It is worn and controlled by an actor from inside the costume. Titan can be adapted for every type of event, from exhibitions and corporate shows to shopping mall entertainment and family events.

Titan made its debut public appearance at the Glastonbury Festival in 2004 and has since performed at a variety of public and private events worldwide, including the Commonwealth Games, Bar Mitzvahs, shopping centres, television fundraisers, and live concerts. Titan has also appeared on several television shows, including Britain's Got Talent, Big Brother, and Germany's Next Top Model.

In addition to Titan, Cyberstein Robots also offers other robotic entertainers, such as K-na, a humanoid robot built with fine-tolerance robotic engineering and elegant design aesthetics. K-na, launched in 2024, is one of the most advanced robots of her kind and represents the next generation of intelligence in robotic engineering.

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