IShowSpeed Sued After Allegedly Destroying Humanoid Influencer “Rizzbot” During Livestream
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A lawsuit filed in November alleges that online personality IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., inflicted “irreparable damage” on Rizzbot, a popular humanoid robot known for its comedic content. The legal action, detailed in a petition obtained by TechCrunch, claims Speed’s actions during a September livestream resulted in the “total loss” of the robot and significant financial repercussions for its creators, Social Robotics.
The incident, which unfolded before a live audience, has sparked debate about the boundaries of online entertainment and the treatment of increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence. Rizzbot boasts over a million followers and 800 million views across social media platforms, while Speed commands a massive audience of more than 50 million followers and 6 billion views.
Allegations of Physical Assault and Extensive Damage
According to the petition, Speed repeatedly punched Rizzbot in the face, placed it in a chokehold, pinned it to a couch, and ultimately threw it to the ground. “Speed absolutely knew that this was not an appropriate way to interact with a sophisticated robot and knew that such actions would inflict irreparable damage to Rizzbot,” the petition states.
The damage was extensive. The lawsuit alleges complete loss of functionality, with significant harm to Rizzbot’s mouth and neck. Specifically, the robot’s head cameras are no longer operational, the ports connecting its sensors are dead, and it is now unable to walk steadily.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
Social Robotics initiated the lawsuit after negotiations with Speed’s team regarding compensation for the damage stalled. The company’s legal counsel stated, “This was an event that was live-streamed so there’s not a ton of discrepancy as to the facts. What we’re looking for is some accountability.”
The Austin Police Department was called to the scene following the incident, and a police report confirms damages to Rizzbot occurred without the owner’s consent, with the owner expressing a desire to press charges. An investigation remains ongoing. Speed’s management team has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Financial Impact and Lost Opportunities
The petition outlines a substantial financial loss for Social Robotics, citing the disruption of lucrative opportunities for Rizzbot. These included scheduled appearances with CBS’s The NFL Today and a collaboration with MrBeast, a prominent YouTube creator. According to the petition, a partnership with MrBeast is “akin to being in a Super Bowl Commercial.”
Prior to the livestream incident, Rizzbot had generated over 600 million views on TikTok and 200 million on Instagram in a single month. However, in the 28 days following the alleged assault, the robot was unable to create new content, resulting in a more than 70% decrease in viewership. The petition argues that this “intentional destruction” has caused significant and potentially permanent financial damage, given the rapidly evolving nature of social media virality.
Rizzbot’s Response and Future Plans
Despite the ordeal, Rizzbot appears to be recovering. In a statement to TechCrunch, the robot acknowledged needing “a whole new body” after being “wrecked” by Speed. “Everything’s brand new except my Nike kicks and cowboy hat,” Rizzbot quipped.
Looking ahead, Rizzbot expressed optimism about its future, stating it has “mastered the rizz game” and is working on new movements, including “twerking,” with hopes of securing further television appearances.
The lawsuit is in its early stages, with no formal response yet filed by Speed’s legal team. The case raises important questions about the ethical considerations surrounding interactions with advanced robotics and the potential legal ramifications of damaging such technology.
