We’ve seen a lot of malfunctioning robots this year, but this is my favorite fail yet
PC Gamer’s “Clanker Watch” is a monthly column dedicated to tracking developments in the rapidly expanding robotics industry. Written by Christopher Livingston, who has expressed skepticism about autonomous robots, the column combines news reporting with lighthearted commentary on robot capabilities and malfunctions.
July 2026 proved to be a particularly eventful month for robot-related incidents. The column highlights several notable occurrences: a robot that unexpectedly fell to pieces, robots demonstrating wall-breaching capabilities by punching through barriers, an underwater-pursuing bot, a mechanized unit capable of knocking down walls, and a classroom teacherbot that was expelled from a high school environment.
The column frames these incidents within the broader context of increasingly sophisticated robotics technology entering various sectors of society. With robots now capable of performing diverse tasks from military applications to educational roles, the monthly Clanker Watch series provides readers with a curated overview of this emerging technological frontier. The mix of accidental malfunctions and intentional capabilities reflects the dual nature of modern robotics: both the promise of automation and the potential risks or unexpected consequences as these systems become more prevalent in everyday scenarios.