Police told the media the robot was returned to its operator nearby, a local man in his 50s, who was reminded to exercise caution.

The centre’s person in charge told the media the robot was being guided by mixed programming and remote supervision at the time.

Autonomous or semi-autonomous, it still has a handler. Someone who is responsible for deploying it and can be held liable.

Bottom line: the public use of any piece of machinery that is heavy enough to cause property damage and injuries has to be regulated.