We’ve only heard about legends, but it looks like we’re experiencing the making of one...
We’ve only heard about legends, but it looks like we’re experiencing the making of one.
Austin, which recently became the center stage for Tesla’s robotaxi testing, resulting in various reported incidents, is also the testing ground for another autonomous sensation – the Rizzbot.
A cowboy-hat-wearing, slang-slinging humanoid robot named “Jake the Rizzbot” has been lighting up the streets of Austin and social media alike.
Dressed in a silver chain, yellow-and-black Nike Dunks, and a knockoff cowboy hat, the robot has become an unexpected star with its confident walk and Gen Z vocabulary.
Videos of Jake’s public outings have gone viral, amassing millions of views as people react with laughter, confusion, and awe.
Jake is a Unitree G1, a 4-foot-tall, 77-pound bipedal robot developed by China-based Unitree Robotics. The company released the G1 model in May 2024 as an “AI avatar” trained through deep reinforcement learning and simulation.
While the base model costs around $16,000, upgrades and accessories like Jake’s flashy gear definitely add to the price tag.
Despite its lifelike behavior, Jake is not autonomous. A human operator controls the robot remotely via wireless controller, blending AI-assisted motion with real-time commands.
The operator’s identity remains unknown, but his presence is usually nearby during Jake’s walks.
What makes Jake stand out isn’t just how he looks, it’s how he speaks.
“Hey! My name is Jake, but perhaps better known as Rizzbot. It’s nice to meet you,” Jake greeted a man in one clip, before launching into praise.
“Ma homie, that beard is cold and that mustache is hard, you look clean, nephew… Props to you, you are a solid boss ‘fo real.”
The robot’s voice, tone, and vocabulary mirror popular Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang. Locals and tourists alike have been stopping to record their encounters.
Viral icon in motion
Jake has appeared at several popular Austin spots, including Barton Creek Mall, The Domain, and downtown. The words “IN TRAINING” are printed across his chest, a nod to his ongoing development and occasional battery issues.
The robot attempts to jog on sidewalks, chats up passersby, and often draws large crowds. In one viral clip, Jake interacts with people along Barton Springs as a Waymo robotaxi passes in the background, an unintended but fitting coincidence.
Not every encounter has gone smoothly. In another clip, Jake makes a baby cry, prompting a viewer to write, “Trust the baby’s intuition.”
Still, the bot’s fame is on the rise. Fans online have even created a Bitcoin in his name.
Jake’s blend of humor and humanoid motion has made him a spectacle. But it’s also stirred conversation about the future of AI in public spaces.
Jake’s operator doesn’t seem fazed by the robot’s attention or limitations. When the robot began to lose power one evening, the handler told onlookers they “might get to see it faint.”
Whether seen as a gimmick or a glimpse into our AI future, “Jake the Rizzbot” is walking proof that Austin remains one of the boldest live labs for tech on the planet.