Additional reporting by Finn Macdiarmid

Circus-goers will be able to see the “world’s first” robotic lion in action as it stops off in Kent.

Ion is an AI-enhanced robot who performs at Paulo’s Circus, which is currently at Sheppey Bootfair in Minster as part of its Bijou tour.

He is equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology that detects objects in a room, allowing him to move without colliding with anything – and the circus says he is the first of his kind in the world.

Circus manager Kenny Darnell explained: “They love him in the ring. He's very playful this year, so it's more of an introduction act.

“He's very comical, he jumps through hoops, jumps over fire, and interacts with the audience.

“He's going to do a magic act next year, which is something a little bit different and a little bit more complicated.

“The reaction has been great. The circus is a place where you can see people do extraordinary, incredible things.

“This is the world's first robotic lion. He’s absolutely amazing; he has stunned people across the country.”

He says the idea to create the robotic lion came from a “drunken night”, adding: “We decided that it would be possible to do this, and that is really very simply how this idea came around.

“We didn't know if we could do it, but the idea seemed great after a few drinks, as most ideas do – and it is actually one that we were able to materialise.”

Ion has his own AI system that tells him when and where to go, and he is also able to be remote controlled.

Ring-boy and robot lion operator Lee Robinson says the system gives him the ability to avoid objects so he can free run.

He explained: “Kenny dreamt up the idea, and I just sort of helped implement it

“Ion will run into the ring, he'll do a nice lap, he does a little wave to the crowd, and so on.

“I find it to be the older audience that are a bit freaked out by him, the kids seem to love him.

“One or two have been a bit fearful of him and in the early days, a couple of times, his head did fall off during a show – so that's a bit traumatic for youngsters”.

The robot was built to give something new to a modern audience, and the team says he’s become a beloved member of the performance, along with aerial acts and a clown.

The circus travels across the country and will end on Sheppey on Sunday, November 9.

By the time the next circus season rolls around, Ion will be upgraded with ned LED eyes, a new mane, and an entirely new face.

In the future, Kenny says he wants to have up to eight lions doing tricks at once, but added that the technology is not yet up to scratch.