'Jake the Rizzbot' charms Austin with cowboy drip and Gen Z slang

“Jake the Rizzbot” is a humanoid robot gaining viral fame in Austin for its unique blend of cowboy style and Gen Z slang. The robot, a Unitree G1 model developed by China-based Unitree Robotics and released in May 2024, stands about 4 feet tall and weighs 77 pounds. While Jake’s movements are lifelike and AI-assisted, it is remotely controlled by a human operator who remains anonymous. Jake’s distinctive appearance includes a cowboy hat, silver chain, and Nike Dunks, and it engages passersby with confident walk and slang-filled greetings, often drawing crowds at popular Austin locations like Barton Creek Mall and downtown. Jake’s charm lies not only in its humanoid motion but also in its use of contemporary Gen Z and Gen Alpha vocabulary, which has sparked widespread amusement and curiosity on social media, with videos amassing millions of views. Despite occasional glitches such as battery issues and mixed public reactions—including a viral clip where Jake inadvertently upset a baby—the robot