Realbotix, a company based in Las Vegas, has developed humanoid robots designed to interact with people in various settings, including trade shows, hospitals, and customer service roles. The robots, which cost up to $125,000, feature lifelike silicone faces and advanced AI capabilities. A recent test of one such robot, named Aria, revealed that while the robot could deliver jokes and engage in conversation, it lacked emotional awareness and natural conversational flow.
The robots' faces are meticulously crafted, starting as digital models before being 3D-printed, sculpted in clay, molded, and cast in silicone. Some faces take months to perfect. The top-end models contain 43 motors in the face and neck alone, allowing for a range of facial expressions. They also come with facial tracking, conversational AI, and a motorized base that enables the robot to turn toward or away from a person.
During the test, the robot surprised the tester with its sense of humor but struggled with more complex emotional interactions. The tester noted that while the robot looked human, the setup did not feel entirely natural. The robots are expensive, with entry-level models costing around $20,000 and full-body versions like Aria starting at $125,000.