iStockphoto
A Chinese company has unveiled a new humanoid robotic head that is so realistic it can make facial expressions that blur the line between man and machine. The robot head is so eerily lifelike that the company’s founder has said that “within ten years, we might interact with robots and feel like they are almost human.”
The company, AheadForm, says on its website that it develops “advanced bionic humanoid robots that integrate self-supervised AI algorithms with high-DOF bionic actuation, empowering future AGI to express authentic emotions and lifelike facial expressions.”
Their selling points for this type of humanoid robot technology are, according to the company, as follows:
• With expressive facial features, moving eyes, and synchronized speech, the robot can convey emotions and understand human non-verbal cues, making interactions more natural and engaging.
• A humanoid robot head gives the robot an identity, making it more relatable and approachable to humans. This is particularly important in applications such as customer service, education, and healthcare, where building trust and rapport with human users is essential.
• Incorporating a humanoid head allows for the seamless integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Vision-Language Models (VLMs). These advanced AI systems can process and interpret complex data from human interactions, enabling the robot to learn and adapt in real-time, achieving human-level understanding and responsiveness.
Plus, as one person on Reddit wrote, “Westworld is closer than I thought.” That day will come once this type of robotic technology is merged with Clone Robotics’ musculoskeletal android, Protoclone.
AheadForm says its full facial actuation system uses “up to 25 micro motors enabling lifelike expressions, blinking, and eye movements. Embedded RGB cameras inside the pupils provide visual perception, while built-in microphones and speakers support real-time audio interaction.”
The company has also introduced what it calls its “Elf series” of “ultra-lifelike humanoid robots.” These robots have “up to 30 degrees of freedom, powered by a precise control system and an advanced AI learning algorithm,” all of which allows it to “perceive the world, communicate, learn, and interact intelligently with its surroundings.”
Considering China just opened a four-story mall that sells nothing but hundreds of robots, AheadForm’s founder may not be too far off with his prediction.