Words: Bea Mitchell
Ameca is now equipped with new capabilities for interacting with guests
Dubai’s Museum of the Future has debuted the latest version of Ameca
an AI-enabled humanoid robot with lifelike facial expressions and interactive features
Ameca is now equipped with enhanced capabilities for interacting with guests at the museum
The bot can be found on the museum’s Tomorrow
It will serve as an intelligent assistant at the institution
providing even more realistic facial expressions
natural human-like responses and precise movements
Ameca can communicate fluently with guests in more than six languages
The robot is powered by a Tritium 3 operating system
the Museum of the Future said in a press release
It also uses voice recognition and is capable of analysing facial expressions and emotions
Ameca is manufactured by UK-based Engineered Arts and is described on the company’s website as “the world’s most advanced human shaped robot representing the forefront of human-robotics technology”
lifelike motion and advanced facial expression capabilities means Ameca can strike an instant rapport with anybody,” the website says
The Museum of the Future is also home to a robodog with 3D vision
The bot moves using 17 joints and can map the terrain and avoid obstacles through 360-degree perception
The museum’s robot community includes Bob the robot barista
and a robotic flying penguin and jellyfish
the Museum of the Future enables visitors to meet some of the most cutting-edge and advanced robots and AI systems currently on the market,” Majed Al Mansoori
“We welcome visitors to come and meet our interactive robots and learn about the technologies that are shaping our future today and tomorrow,” he added
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Kaif Shaikh
MWCHub/X
A humanoid robot named Ameca turned heads at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona this week
delivering surprisingly witty—and perhaps unsettling—answers to a question many of us have been pondering: “Will robots take our jobs?”
Developed by British company Engineered Arts, Ameca is often called the world’s most advanced humanoid robot
Its lifelike interactions left attendees both fascinated and wary
highlighting the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and robot technology
and a simple necklace—an outfit provided by the Dubai-based telco Etisalat—Ameca was free to engage with people rather than remaining confined to a display booth
When Daily Mail asked if robots would take human jobs
How good are you at your job?” followed by the razor-sharp addendum: “It depends how good you are at it
The conversation grew more dramatic when Ameca was asked if robots might “take over the world.” To this, it deflected: “That’s an interesting question, but not interesting for me to answer.” As it listened, processed questions, and delivered quick-witted replies, Ameca showcased an impressive level of AI-powered speech and facial expression.
Ameca is an advanced lifelike humanoid that utilizes advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems combined with highly sophisticated facial expressions and movements
and facial recognition capabilities that enable startlingly human-like gazes
Its creators at Engineered Arts describe it as a work in progress
full-bodied version that makes it even more humanlike
it can be hired for events to exhibit how advanced humanoid robots can converse in everyday settings
While Ameca’s responses might feel ominous, experts hold mixed views regarding the extent to which AI and robots will displace human workers. One perspective suggests that jobs requiring in-depth knowledge
like cardiovascular technologists or sound engineers
could face disruptions because robots might soon handle many tasks more efficiently
given current robotic mobility and adaptability limitations
the conversation is broader than mere job displacement
Leadership and creative roles often demand emotional intelligence and the capacity to innovate
AI’s rapid evolution could also create new employment opportunities—particularly in the tech sector—ranging from AI maintenance to algorithm development.
Proponents of this view argue that rather than eradicating jobs
shifting human labor toward oversight and strategic tasks while delegating routine work to machines
Ameca’s parting message offers neither firm reassurances nor dire warnings
it serves as a reminder that the rise of AI is complex and ever-changing
As long as we remain a step away from mindlessly automating entire industries—and depend on skilled humans to design
and maintain automated systems—there’s room for debate about how soon they might replace our jobs
Yet Ameca’s razor-sharp comeback hints at an unsettling truth: AI progress may be faster than we think
0COMMENTABOUT THE AUTHORKaif Shaikh Kaif Shaikh is a journalist and writer passionate about turning complex information into clear
Kaif's bylines can be found in Times of India
Apart from the long list of things he does outside work
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Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLAURENS COUNTY
(FOX Carolina) - A former superintendent is accusing some Laurens County School District 55 board members of creating a hostile work environment and bullying because of her race
Dr. Ameca Thomas, 47, served as the first Black woman superintendent for the district from July 2020 until her resignation in January 2024
She had held multiple roles in the district such as teacher
director of testing and accountability and assistant superintendent of teaching and learning before being elected as superintendent
Thomas experienced a hostile work environment because of her race as a Black American
It goes on to allege that white board members conspired to undermine her reputation and qualifications as well as those of her administrative staff who were mostly Black
The lawsuit states these actions started in January 2021 with newly elected board members
Thomas reported the instances to human resources on multiple occasions to seek counsel
However, in February 2023, a meeting was held and Dr. Thomas' contract was under review
but none of the Board of Trustees mentioned the reasoning publicly
She later resigned citing tensions between her and another board member
FOX Carolina has reached out to the school district for a statement
a robot that can talk and move like a human
It is the latest and most advanced iteration of two-decades of robot development from Engineered Arts, a humanoid manufacturer based in Cornwall
designed to interact with humans for entertainment and social purposes
Its head alone contains 27 motors that help it replicate human facial movements
It has cameras in each of the eyes to allow Ameca to "see" the world around it
The robot also has the ability to understand and respond to questions posed by humans. How? Ameca can run large artificial intelligence models, the kind that underpin ChatGPT. Currently, Engineered Arts is trialing GPT 4, the latest AI model from OpenAI.
respond in voices of celebrities or famous TV characters
She even addressed concerns about whether robots pose a threat to humanity
but Engineered Arts is working on technology to allow Ameca to do so
Watch CNBC Tech: The Edge's visit to Engineered Arts' headquarters in Falmouth
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What do Yasmin Wijnaldum and the world’s most advanced humanoid robot have in common
They both just closed Giuseppe di Morabito’s debut Fall/Winter 2025 runway show
It’s not often that a supermodel has to compete with otherworldly features
but the humanoid “Ameca” certainly felt like just that
Designed to highlight the tension between fashion and our technologically murky future
di Morabito’s show was an eery encapsulation of what’s to come
The runway opened with a recording of designer di Morabito prompting Ameca to “wake up.” As the humanoid took center stage
Ameca began by reading a text from Thomas Carlyle’s 1834 Sartor Resartus (The Tailor Retailored)
a philosophical treatise on clothing and the human condition
the organic portion of the show was now underway
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In our quest for the perfect collaboration to celebrate WIRED Middle East’s birthday, we discovered WAIYS, an AI solution integrator, and the groundbreaking humanoid robot, Ameca
designed by their partners Engineered Arts
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WAIYS’ CTO and Co-founder
can help us with something special we were planning for WIRED Middle East’s anniversary
we decided on a unique collaboration: Ameca would create the ultimate tech cake for our birthday
A special baking laboratory at WAIYS’ German office in Dresden
ensuring the robot was fully equipped with all the necessary information that it would need to get baking
Birthdays are certainly emotionally charged events, but the team at WAIYS ensures that our celebrations went off without a hitch. The team asked Ameca to create a special birthday cake to celebrate what WIRED Middle East represents. Using a combination of large language models
Ameca came up with a recipe inspired by the region and containing ingredients such as dates and camel’s milk
stir and combine provided a glimpse into a future where robots help us at home and in the workplace
a bit of creative decorating and there it is
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Alongside the cake, Ameca also sings us a song to celebrate our anniversary based on keywords related to WIRED and our mission. Dr. Struckmeier explains how it all works, “Ameca interacts with the visitor or user and collects information about his interest or thoughts what he likes to have in the song. This information is then summarized and sent to the song generator SUNO via internet
The song is then created in the background by SUNO and sent back to Ameca and our AI system.”
“The AI that we programmed for Ameca separates the voice and converts it into mouth movements and vocal output on Ameca on one side… and sends the instrumental music to the stage loudspeakers… [that’s] why the voice comes from Ameca,” says Dr
You can see the end result on our social media
WAIYS GmbH is a spin-off from Cloud&Heat Technologies
While the AI revolution has driven remarkable advancements
it has also created a fragmented landscape of hardware manufacturers
and consultancy firms – leaving clients struggling to implement cohesive AI solutions
WAIYS bridges this gap by offering a holistic AI platform that seamlessly integrates AI software
This platform powers applications ranging from humanoid robots to mobile devices
end-to-end AI solutions for businesses worldwide
“Ameca’s advanced AI capabilities
powered by WAIYS in conjunction with our low-latency HOST
and seamless integration with third-party systems
this platform redefines customer engagement
our platform in conjunction with Ameca delivers dynamic and human-like experiences that stand out from the competition,” says Dr
leveraging open-source frameworks to deliver optimal solutions
alongside security-hardened on-premises hardware
This powerful combination allows humanoid robots like Ameca to engage audiences across industries such as hospitality
Another use case for WAIYS’s AI platform revolves around the company’s identification module
which offers advanced capabilities like face
which includes tailored secretarial support for top executives
the conversational module enabling natural
and the interoperability module which connects with messengers
and wireless transmitting hardware like Wi-Fi
Bluetooth or NFC for a seamless experience
WAIYS sees immense potential in the Middle East
a region full of opportunities driven by rapid technological advancements and ambitious development projects
Combining cutting-edge innovation with sustainability
they’re not just shaping the future of AI and robotics – they’re actively seeking collaborations that align with their vision for transformative
Using a combination of large language models
a humanoid robot developed by UK‒based Engineered Arts
is celebrated as one of the most lifelike robots ever created
combining advanced hardware and cutting‒edge AI to deliver an unparalleled human-robot interaction experience
Known for its realistic facial expressions and natural movements
Ameca serves as a platform for AI research
positioning itself at the forefront of social robotics
“We create humanoid robots specifically for human interaction and engagement
It is all about the connection one has when encountering our robots
They are designed to convey advanced expressions and gestures which enables them to communicate in a human-centric way
combining emotive movement with multiple spoken languages,” says Morgan Roe
“We see the value of the human form as the ultimate communication tool,” adds Roe
Ameca’s design is a marvel of engineering
The robot features a highly expressive face with actuators that mimic nuanced human emotions such as surprise
These expressions are essential for building rapport in settings that require communication and emotional engagement
“We have deployed over 200 of our robots in research institutes
education establishments and visitor attractions around the world
We see our social robots deployed to help people in the future in areas such as healthcare
reception and retail applications,” says Roe
Ameca’s software is powered by Engineered Arts’ Tritium platform
a sophisticated system developed over 12 years to drive lifelike robotic interactions
Tritium ensures seamless operation by efficiently processing data from sensors
enabling real-time responsiveness and dynamic adaptability in interactions
Its web-based interface allows users to remotely modify behavior
and conduct diagnostics from any internet-connected device
The platform’s integration capabilities support multiple programming languages and third-party software
enabling developers to customize Ameca’s functionalities for specific applications
Ameca offers authentic and engaging interactions
Researchers can use Ameca to explore how humans perceive and respond to robots
contributing to advancements in social robotics and AI ethics
The robot’s ability to simulate realistic human behavior also makes it a valuable asset in training scenarios
such as preparing healthcare professionals to handle emotionally charged situations
“The majority of the startups in the humanoid robot space are focused on utility functions such as manufacturing
warehousing or other manual labor tasks,” Roe says
“Engineered Arts is different in that we aim to integrate robots into society to help humans
Large Language Models have brought us conversational AI and shown us that we can talk naturally with a digital system
our robots are the ultimate interface for this new generation of human-machine interaction.”
the use case for Ameca is a versatile tool for enhancing human-robot collaboration
Ameca represents a fusion of technological sophistication and human-centric design
it is not only advancing the capabilities of humanoid robots but also reshaping how humans and machines interact in meaningful and emotionally resonant ways
one of the founding editors of WIRED magazine in January 1993
and former editor and publisher of the Whole Earth Review
to share his opinion on AI in today’s world
There are three points I find helpful when thinking about AIs so far: The first is that we have to talk about AIs
There is no monolithic singular AI that runs the world
Instead there are already multiple varieties of AI
and each of them have multiple models with their own traits
For instance there are multiple LLM models
Then there are non–LLM AI models – like the ones driving cars – that have very different uses from those answering questions
As we continue to develop more advanced models of AI
they will have even more varieties of cognition inside them
a society of different kinds of cognition – such as memory
pattern recognition – only some of which have been artificially synthesized
commercial AIs will be complicated systems consisting of dozens of different types of artificial intelligence modes
and each of them will exhibit its own personality
Besides these dominant consumer models there will be hundreds of other species of AI
We don’t have a monolithic approach to regulating
rockets with different programs appropriate for each machine
And none of these species of AI – not one – will think like a human
almost as if they actually are artificial alien beings
and might come up with solutions a human would never think of
The fact that they don’t think like humans is their chief benefit
There are wicked problems in science and business that may require us to first invent a type of AI that
can solve problems humans alone cannot solve
just like whale intelligence is beyond humans
with steps along one dimension; it is multidimensional
The space of possible intelligences is very large
with human intelligence occupying a tiny spot at the edge of this galaxy of possible minds
and we have begun the very long process of populating this space with thousands of other species of possible minds
The second thing to keep in mind about AIs is that their ability to answer questions is probably the least important thing about them
Getting answers is how we will use them at first
but their real power is in something we call spatial intelligence – their ability to simulate
It is a genuine superpower to be able to reason intellectually and to think abstractly – which some AIs are beginning to do – but far more powerful is the ability to act in reality
to get things done and make things happen in the physical world
Most meaningful tasks we want done require multiple steps
and multiple kinds of intelligences to complete
An AI agent needs to master common sense to navigate through the real world
to be able to anticipate what will actually happen
It has to know that there is cause and effect
and that things don’t disappear just because you can’t see them
or that two objects can not occupy the same place at the same time
AIs have to be able to understand a volumetric world in three dimensions
Something similar is needed for augmented reality
The AIs have to be able to render a virtual world digitally to overlay the real world using smart glasses
so that we see both the actual world and a perfect digital twin
To render that merged world in real time as we move around wearing our glasses
the system needs massive amounts of cheap ubiquitous spatial intelligence
We have the first glimpses of spatial intelligence in the AIs that can generate video clips from a text prompt or from found images
In laboratories we have the first examples of AIs that can generate volumetric 3D worlds from video input
We are almost at the point that one person can produce a 3D virtual world
Creating a video game or movie now becomes a solo job
one that required thousands of people before
Just as LLMs were trained on billions of pieces of text and language
some of these new AIs are being trained on billions of data points in physics and chemistry
the billion hours of video from Tesla cars driving around are training AIs on not just the laws of traffic
and what is needed to accomplish real tasks
Any kind of humanoid robot will need this kind of spatial intelligence to survive more than a few hours
So in addition to training AI models to get far better at abstract reasoning in the intellectual realm
the frontier AI models are rapidly progressing at improving their spatial intelligence
which will have far more use and far more consequence than answering questions
The third thing to keep in mind about AIs is that you are not late
While the frontier of AI seems to be accelerating fast
Despite $100 billion dollars invested into AI in the last few years
only the chip maker Nvidia and the data centers are making profits
but they are not pricing their service for real costs
It is far more expensive to answer a question with an LLM than the AIs that Google has used for years
As we ask the AIs to do more complicated tasks
People will certainly pay for most of their AIs
organizations can’t simply import AIs as if they were just hiring additional people
Work flows and even the shape of the organizations need to change to fit AIs
Something similar happened as organizations electrified a century ago
into a company without changing the architecture of the space as well as the design of the hierarchy
Motors and telephones produced skyscraper offices and corporations
To bring AIs into companies will demand a similar redesign of roles and spaces
We know that AI has penetrated smaller companies first because they are far more agile in morphing their shape
As we introduce AIs into our private lives
this too will necessitate redesign of many of our habits
Even if there was not a single further advance in AI today
it will take 5 to 10 years to fully incorporate the AIs we already have into our organizations and lives
There’s a lot of hype about AI these days
and among those who hype AI the most are the doomers – because they promote the most extreme fantasy version of AI
A lot of the urgency for dealing with AI comes from the doomers who claim 1) that the intelligence of AI can escalate instantly
and 2) we should regulate on harms we can imagine rather than harms that are real
there has been no exponential increase in artificial intelligence
The increase in intelligence has been very slow
in part because we don’t have good measurements for human intelligence
and no metrics for extra–human intelligence
But the primary reason is due to the fact that the only exponential in AI is in its input – it takes exponentially more training data
and exponentially more compute to make just a modest improvement in reasoning
The artificial intelligences are not compounding anywhere near exponentially
our concern about the rise of AIs should be in proportion to its actual harm vs actual benefits
the total number of people who have lost their jobs to AI as of 2024
They were mostly language translators and a few (but not all) help–desk operators
the data so far is that the real harms of AI are almost nil
If we base our policies for AIs on the reasonable fact that they are varied and heterogenous
and their benefits are more than answering questions
and that so far we have no evidence of massive job displacement
then we have time to accommodate their unprecedented power into our society
The scientists who invented the current crop of LLMs were trying to make language translation software
They were completely surprised that bits of reasoning also emerged from the translation algorithms
This emergent intelligence was a beautiful unintended byproduct that also scaled up magically
We honestly have no idea what intelligence is
so as we make more of it and more varieties of it
there will inevitably be more surprises like this
But based on the evidence of what we have made so far
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FacebookemailTom is a writer in London with a Master's degree in Journalism whose editorial work covers anything from health and the environment to technology and archaeology.
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Ameca and Azi's conversation was going well until someone decided to tell a dodgy joke.
one of the "world’s most advanced human-shaped robots" that can mimic a range of human expressions
With the aid of artificial intelligence (AI)
the couple can share expressive conversations that are equal parts impressive and unsettling
The two robotic busts can communicate with each other thanks to the power of Chat-GPT
which they demonstrate in a new video from Engineered Arts (although they don’t appear to like each other very much).
lies in the robots’ ability to perform human expressions
They achieve this with the help of 32 actuators
five for the neck and 27 for facial control alone
Azi tells a bad joke about internet cookies
to which Ameca responds with squinted eyes and a crinkled nose that perfectly conveys a sense of disgust
Azi replies with a downtrodden expression and sullen eyes
as if he knows his joke really sucked.
The pair were created by Engineered Arts
a UK-based robotics company that makes humanoid robots “for entertainment
communication and education.” The company rents out its robots
for events and will even put together 5 minutes of personalized content for the robot to perform
although they’re fairly shady about the price
noting on their website that it’s “more than a cup of coffee
Engineered Arts are keen to point out they have no interest in militarizing their robots and the risk of them orchestrating a world take-over is negligible
“Our robots are completely safe. They’re inherently compliant and gentle, so even if a robot was to move and accidentally hit you, it wouldn’t hurt,” the company claims on its website
“Our innovative robots are designed to be true to life
We’d never work with the military but we would happily make a replica terminator for an exhibition."
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Pop culture has warned us about robots for years
nightmares of rogue machines taking over the planet are likely stamped into your brains
Those dystopian visions are beginning to take shape in the real world
Today's futuristic bots aren’t armed with a shotgun and Austrian accent
or even the dexterity of most sci-fi automatons
They can speak, express ‘human emotion', perform everyday tasks, and many of them can walk, albeit like a baby taking its first steps. We’re seeing the first steps towards a world where humanoid robots stand next to us, triggering an uncanny valley like never before
which weird and wonderful bots are leading the pack
Ameca has a reputation
The robot created by Engineered Arts has been dubbed 'the world’s most advanced’ humanoid robot
That’s a big claim in a world of creepy human-like robots
backflip or crush bricks with its hands like some robots can
The robot has been built to show feelings on its face and through its body
and even express through full-body emotions
Ameca is the robot that feels the most human in its movements
It won't kill you or replace you in the office
but it just might be the most charming dinner guest at the table
you'll have likely seen videos of its robots performing parkour
climbing ladders or working on mock construction sites
The company likes to dial up the fun in its videos
most of these bots are designed for very un-silly full-time work – think jobs in oil and gas
they have reached their current ATLAS model
ATLAS is entirely powered by electricity (see it standing up in the least human way imaginable in the video above)
With a creepy circular face and a large light beam
capable of crushing objects in its way and climbing over obstacles… not unsettling at all
a Chinese robotics company has made a lot of products
it’s the Unitree G1 that truly embodies their chaotic innovations
The ‘humanoid agent AI avatar’ will set you back $16,000 (roughly £12,500) which
it’s not entirely clear what the robot is for
Unitree highlights videos of the robot spinning a stick around like a lightsaber
and hitting its hand with a hammer… for some reason
jumping and folding up into the fetal position is somewhat reminiscent of watching a painfully energetic child bellow “Look what I can do!” over and over again
at least in the tasks it is advertised for
The creators envision the lanky robot being an assistant to the average person
helping to complete jobs which could otherwise be difficult
This includes lifting and moving heavy boxes
and even pushing a trolley around a supermarket for you
rocking some arms and legs in complete disproportion to its body
But the Menteebot is clearly happy to give it a go
learning new skills to help make your life easier
There are a number of humanoid robots that have been built with a singular purpose
They are designed to dominate the factory floor
completely eliminating the need for any real workers
Figure AI is one of the leading options for this market
mostly thanks to its partnership with company OpenAI
Figure can accept voice commands and have conversations with people
combined with its training on a variety of factory tasks
allows Figure to work its way through a full day of jobs
while also taking verbal commands if priorities change
Like many of its humanoid robotic brothers
walking with the gait of a person recently suffering an accident in their trousers (or circuitry in this case?)
While it looks like something out of iRobot
its presence is somewhat less intimidating
maybe one day we’ll see an army of Figure bots zipping around the workplace
ARTEMIS
So high in fact that they gave it the name “a robot that exceeds Messi in soccer” – or ARTEMIS for short
Built by a team from UCLA
the football extraordinaire has been in the works for years now
an international autonomous robot soccer competition
to be playing the World Cup-winning team by 2050
With such high expectations, ARTEMIS must be a pretty incredible football player, right? Not quite. ARTEMIS was displayed at GITEX 2023
where we saw it struggle to kick a ball directly in front of it
often kicking the air or only just clipping the ball
Expect rumours of a Chelsea signing imminently
they describe it as “a significant advancement in robotics.”
The company believes that Neo can be the first robot in your home
doing chores and helping out with day-to-day tasks
hugging people and picking up your backpack on your way out of the house
But less so in reality when it seems poised to break down under any task
Neo is likely going to be one of the biggest advancements in home robotics over the next years
So get used to that blank face staring at you
We’re sure the Sloth Bot was made to be cute
hiding an array of robotics in a friendly frame
between the dead eyes and the never-ending smile
this tightrope-clinging robot is oddly unsettling
It is solar-powered and requires a cable to get about
This robot is designed to be present in natural ecosystems
mainly under tree canopies for long periods of time
This is to assess microclimate data day-to-day without the interruption of humans
VERO spends its time picking up cigarettes from the beach
Standing for Vacuum-cleaner Equipped Robot
Attached to each of its four legs are small hoovers
in conjunction with an array of cameras and sensors
track down debris on the beach and suck it up
A lot of the robots on this list look to replace or match humans in as many abilities as possible
VERO is a simple guy and we love that about him
Maria Candelaria “Cande” Nunez de Mondragon
passed away peacefully in the early morning of Thursday
Together they moved to Arkansas with their first three children to make a better life for themselves
detail-oriented person whose kind heart gained her many friends and employers that considered her family
Cande was the undeniable life of the party; she could always be found on the dance floor or at the center of a group
She always had a kind word to say and never a negative one
She encouraged goodness in everyone and expected it out of her children
Cande’s commitment to her family left a legacy visible in her children’s commitment and love to each other even in the hardest of times
Known for her kind disposition and generosity
Cande was the kind of person everyone wanted to know and spend time with
and her stubborn personality was delightful and always drew a laugh from her kids and
She is preceded in death by her mother and her pride and joy
Tony’s loss was devastating to the family
she was the shining light that pushed us forward and through that her family was more unified than ever
We know Tony was there to greet her with open arms at Heaven’s Gates
her heart and eldest daughter Maria de la “Paz” Mondragon de Herrera
daughter and best friend Mireya Mondragon de Baylon
Her grandkids Carlos “Chicho” Castillo (Megan)
Jesse Mondragon and Hunter Mondragon and Trinity Mondragon and a great-grandson who adored his Mama-Cande
Juan and Raul Nunez Gomez and a host of nieces and nephews who she loved and did a lot for
A Celebration of Life Service will be held
2024 at 2 pm at Medder’s Funeral Home
Obituary written and submitted by Maria's family
getty
Our fascination with creating machines in our own image has led us to remarkable achievements
We have managed to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence and robotics to the point where today’s humanoid robots not only mimic but also enhance human interaction
From Hephaestus’s mythical automaton servants to icons like C-3PO and The Terminator
These mechanized versions of ourselves assist us in surgeries
we have listed the most advanced humanoid robots of 2024
whose real-life capabilities are as extraordinary as the tales that once imagined them
When you search for the “world’s most advanced humanoid,” most paths lead to AMECA by Engineered Arts
AMECA is engineered to be modular and upgradeable in both hardware and software
designed with a gender-neutral and non-threatening appearance to facilitate comfortable human-robot interactions
It is an excellent platform for further developing robotics technologies focusing on human-robot interaction
it is designed with the potential for mobility in the future
AMeca’s cognitive capabilities are amplified through integration with OpenAI’s GPT-3 and GPT-4 language models
enabling it to understand and respond to questions
mimic the voices of celebrities or famous TV characters
What sets AMECA apart is its incredibly realistic facial expressions and movements
with 27 actuators controlling minute details such as lip and eyebrow movements and motorized arms
These features allow AMECA to communicate naturally and expressively
Atlas, developed by Boston Dynamics
often showcased through its impressive dance moves and backflips
This robot was initially created as a research project for the U.S
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in 2009
the hydraulic Atlas (HD Atlas) was retired in April of 2024
fully electric version announced the following day
The transition from hydraulic to electric systems marks a leap towards greater efficiency and environmental sustainability
Atlas is built upon decades of robotics research
featuring a custom battery and a highly compact former hydraulic system
now re-engineered for electric operation.
Its advanced control algorithms allow Atlas to plan and execute complex movements
Composed of titanium and aluminum with 3D printed parts
Atlas possesses a strength-to-weight ratio that facilitates its dynamic maneuvers
and includes 28 joints that support agile and diverse locomotion
Atlas is equipped with advanced infrared stereo and depth sensors to create detailed environmental point clouds
and proprioceptive sensors to adapt to environmental changes
Optimus, also known as Tesla Bot and named after the Transformers character
is a general-purpose robotic humanoid initially announced during Tesla’s Artificial Intelligence Day on August 19
which featured a slimmer figure and improved hands and movements
this new robot was demonstrated performing various tasks at a Tesla factory
being 10 kg lighter and faster than its predecessor
Elon Musk announced plans for Optimus to enter limited production in 2025
with over 1,000 units intended for use in Tesla facilities and potential broader production for other companies by 2026
Musk envisions Optimus performing a wide range of everyday tasks inside and outside the home
The robot utilizes a bipedal walking system designed for balance and stability
featuring pressure sensors on its feet to adjust its stance in real time
It includes multiple cameras in its “face” for object detection
alongside an onboard neural network processing system for learning and adaptation
Optimus can respond to voice commands and understands basic conversational contexts
similar to Tesla’s electric vehicles
It includes a proprietary battery management system
allowing it to move at speeds up to 5 mph (8 km/h) and carry loads up to 45 pounds (20 kg)
Figure AI introduced its initial prototype, Figure 01, in 2022. A bipedal robot aimed at manual labor tasks in logistics and warehousing
slimmer design with integrated cabling in its limbs
which Figure AI claims to be the world’s first commercially viable autonomous humanoid robot
The new robot features a 50% increase in battery capacity over its predecessor
It is equipped with 6 RGB cameras and an onboard vision language model
The computing power is significantly enhanced
offering three times the inference capabilities of the earlier model
Figure 02 includes microphones and speakers paired with a custom AI model developed in collaboration with OpenAI
enhancing its conversational abilities with humans
Its redesigned five-fingered hands boast 16 degrees of freedom
enabling it to carry objects weighing up to 25 kg
Figure 02 is currently being tested at a BMW plant in South Carolina to gather training data for further AI model development
Digit is a humanoid robot designed by Agility Robotics with a distinctive inwardly curved leg design that enhances mobility
enabling it to move dynamically through complex environments
This unique structure is complemented by elegant limbs and a torso packed with advanced sensors and computing power
making Digit well-suited for navigating and performing tasks in places like warehouses
Released in 2023, Digit represents a significant advancement in robotic capabilities, underscored by the announcement of Agility Robotics’ first humanoid robotics factory
which produces up to 10,000 robots annually
alongside absolute and incremental encoders that enhance its proprioception
The robot features brushless DC motors with custom-designed transmissions and has 16 independent joints
These joints allow Digity to move its legs and arms in 10 different ways
possessing four degrees of freedom and coming with grippers in 6 different ways
The robot’s computational needs are handled by two Intel i7 multi-thread CPUs
with a payload bay available for additional computers like an Intel NUC or Nvidia Jetson
which can be used for enhancing perception or machine learning tasks
Digit operates on a Linux-based real-time operating system for its main control computer
with high-level planning and perception managed on a secondary computer
It is powered by a custom 1.2-kWh lithium-polymer battery pack
balancing power efficiency with robust operational capabilities
is another groundbreaking humanoid robot benefiting from the company’s extensive experience in robotics
including their work on NASA’s Valkyrie robot
Apollo is tailored for mass manufacturability and is designed to function in collaborative environments with high payloads and safety standards
Weighing approximately 72.6 kilograms and capable of operating up to 4 hours on a single battery pack
Apollo is built to match the size and capabilities of a human
making it suitable for various tasks that require human-like attributes
Apollo’s design allows it to carry payloads of up to 25 kilograms
emphasizing its ability to perform substantial lifting and carrying tasks
with a modular design that can be mounted on any mobility platform
and it is equipped with hot-swappable battery packs that each offer four hours of runtime
allowing for continuous operation with simple battery changes rather than requiring downtime for recharging
showcasing Apollo’s industrial applicability and efficiency
ALTER 3 stands out in the list of top humanoid robots for its unique blend of AI and musical talent
notably demonstrated through its ability to conduct orchestras
Developed by Osaka University and Mixi Corporation
this humanoid robot has been used in various experimental settings
and exploring the intersection of robotics and the arts
ALTER 3’s design features a highly expressive face capable of displaying a wide range of emotions
enhancing its interaction with human audiences
The robot’s body combines prosthetic skin on its face
with other parts remaining as exposed machinery to evoke a sense of the mechanical nature of life
This design choice highlights the robot’s internal mechanisms and sparks discussions about the nature of humanity and the potential of artificial intelligence
ALTER 3 utilizes a combination of pneumatic and servo-based actuators
controlled by 42 actuators and a central pattern generator (CPG) integrated with a neural network
The robot is equipped with optical and distance sensors for autonomous movement
and its sensors and microphones feed into an AI system that enables it to respond dynamically to its environment
The development of ALTER 3 aims to probe fundamental questions about whether robots can obtain a sense of life and what life itself may mean
Unitree G1 is recognized for its exceptional flexibility and affordability
making it a standout choice for robotics research and development
The robot is designed to facilitate the exploration of advanced locomotion and manipulation techniques
capable of performing a standing long jump of up to 1.4 meters—possibly the longest jump ever achieved by a humanoid robot of its size
The G1 robot is equipped with a dexterous 3-fingered hand that allows for precise manipulation
supported by a maximum joint torque of 120 Nm
Sensory and communication enhancements include 3D LIDAR with a LIVOX MID360 for 360° detection
and a microphone array with noise and echo cancellation capabilities
Its battery and power systems feature an extra-large quick-release battery
supporting about two hours of battery life
and the robot’s design includes hollow joint wiring
Both G1 and G1 EDU models are further equipped with a high-performance 8-core CPU
and connectivity options like WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
Accessories include a smart battery with quick release (9000mAh)
with pricing for the G1 starting at US $16,000
part of the ARMAR series of humanoid robots developed at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
represents a lineage of robots that dates back to 2000 with ARMAR-1
focusing initially on basic locomotion and manipulation
and ARMAR-3b (developed between 2004 and 2007) have seen progressive improvements
enhancing capabilities in interaction and more complex tasks
a collaborative humanoid assistant designed for industrial environments
ARMAR-6 features a human-like torso and two arms mounted on a wheeled base
enabling it to navigate industrial settings and utilize tools designed for humans
This robot has four computers in its mobile base
providing substantial computational power for control
and implementing machine learning and artificial intelligence through its ArmarX software architecture
Its joints are powered by specially developed sensor-actuator-controller units that allow precise and force-controlled movements
including continuous joint rotation facilitated by slip rings
The robot boasts 27 degrees of freedom and can lift to 10 kg with an arm fully stretched out
achieving a maximum lifting capacity of 14 kg at average distances
Standing at 192 cm with an arm span of 310 cm
ARMAR-6 operates at a working height range from 0 cm to 240 cm and weighs 160 kg without batteries
Its sensors include position, IMUs, torque, and temperature sensors across its joints, supplemented by 6D force-torque sensors for interaction and laser scanners for navigation. Two stereo camera systems, a depth camera, and microphones enhance perception capabilities. ARMAR-6 runs on an EtherCAT bus system, linking its multiple high-end PCs and GPU
ensuring robust autonomous operations facilitated by a powerful battery system
described as an ‘all-purpose’ home robot
is specifically designed for household tasks such as cooking
Unlike traditional humanoid robots with legs
the Astribot S1 features motorized wheels and a flexible lower body that can bend in the middle
supporting its tasks around the home with impressive agility and mobility
Standing approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, Astribot S1 has a slender
It boasts a payload capacity of 10 kg per arm and 7 degrees of freedom per arm
allowing for a range of motion that rivals a human limb
The robot’s arms are equipped with touch sensors for safe interaction with objects and people
it ends in a sensor-packing dual-digit gripper
enhancing its capability for varied and precise tasks
Astribot S1’s agility and dexterity are notable
It can learn new tasks through imitation learning
a feature showcased in various online demonstrations where the robot performs activities like martial arts
The robot was announced to be commercially available in 2024
although specific details about its hardware specs or AI learning methods remain undisclosed by the company
As we conclude our exploration of the most remarkable humanoid robots of 2024
it’s clear that the field of robotics continues to break boundaries and challenge our expectations
In addition to the key players discussed numerous other humanoid robots are making strides in specialized areas.
who provides valuable social interaction; Robonaut 2 with its space-oriented tasks; Sophia for her engaging discussions; Pepper’s role in service industries; and NAO’s contributions to educational settings
Recent advancements in achieving a human-like gait in the SEO1 humanoid also hint at many other pioneering projects.
While we’ve highlighted some key players
countless other advancements are being made in labs and institutions around the globe
each promising to further revolutionize how we interact with machines
Touted as the world’s most advanced humanoid robot
"Will robots take all our jobs?" Ameca’s reply was both clever and slightly unsettling - "I don’t know
How good are you at your job?" She followed up with
Engineered Arts describes Ameca as a work in progress
it’s available for hire at events and exhibitions
where it showcases its ability to interact with humans in a natural
ALSO SEE: AI Romance? World's Most Advanced Robot Duo Share Humorous Chat In Viral Video
When asked a more dramatic question - "Are robots going to take over the world?" Ameca responded with
experts believe that jobs requiring extensive training and technical expertise such as think cardiovascular technicians
or nuclear medicine technologists could face significant disruption
often seen as secure due to their complexity
rely on tasks that AI and robots might soon handle more efficiently
like pile-driver operators or dredge operators
Machines may struggle to replicate the adaptability and hands-on demands of such work
can’t even walk yet - suggesting that robots still have a long way to go before they can fully replace humans in physically demanding environments
ALSO SEE: Nobel Prize For Physics Winner And Godfather Of AI Gives Grim Warning About Artificial Intelligence: Watch
Introducing artificial intelligence (AI)–powered robots like AMECA into health care comes with potential benefits like improved clinical decision-making and faster diagnoses
but also presents challenges such as misinformation risks and data privacy concerns
On the final day of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress 2024
attendees had the opportunity to meet AMECA
a humanoid robot powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI)
health care experts and researchers convened to discuss the potential of advanced AI systems in transforming respiratory care and explored how AI-powered robots could enhance patient interactions
and improve health care education and training
While the technology holds significant promise
the session also showcased the challenges and the need for close collaboration between AI developers and health care professionals to ensure successful integration into medical practice
The Potential of Generative AI in Health Care
Panelists at ERS Congress 2024 discussed the integration of AI-powered robots into respiratory health care | Image credit: Hayden Klein
researcher at The University of Edinburgh and chair of mHealth and eHealth for the ERS
highlighted the significant role generative AI can play in health care
particularly within the realm of respiratory care
unlike traditional AI models that merely analyze data to make predictions
this new type of AI has shown intelligence levels comparable to third-year medical students in the US medical license examinations
demonstrating its potential to support patients and medical professionals alike
“Generative AI has actually got some kind of a basic intelligence to answer patients’ questions or to support patients,” Hui said
there is a potential over there to use robots in respiratory care.”
The integration of robots into health care is not a new concept
with various types of robots being used or in development for health care purposes
Surgical robots like the da Vinci Surgical System have been around for years and are designed to assist with surgeries
enhancing precision and control during procedures
There are also service robots that perform support tasks
transporting medications or supplies within hospitals
and other tasks that can help take the burden off health care staff
Humanoid robots are the most recent additions and are divided into 2 categories:
embedding generative AI into humanoid robots can revolutionize patient interactions in health care
These AI-powered robots like AMECA can communicate with patients using natural language
they can assist in clinical decision-making
potentially preventing unnecessary medical interventions
cautioning that generative AI robots could be misused
potentially leading to the spread of misinformation and compromising data privacy
she stressed that its successful integration into clinical practice will depend on carefully balancing its advantages with the management of these risks
While not all robots are yet used in respiratory care specifically
Hui emphasized that AMECA represents the cutting edge of this evolving field
how will they impact the future patient care in respiratory care?” she asked
How Does AMECA Perform in Respiratory Care
Manufactured by Engineered Arts Limited and located in the United Kingdom
AMECA currently runs on ChatGPT 4.0 and is equipped with natural language capabilities
Before introducing AMECA to the ERS Congress audience
professor of primary care respiratory medicine at University of Edinburgh and incoming chair of the ERS Education Council
provided some additional insights into the capabilities and limitations of the humanoid robot
While AMECA can simulate human conversation and respond to questions
AMECA requires straightforward questions and can misinterpret sentences if there’s a pause or a break in speech
often answering the first part of a question before hearing the rest
Pinnock shared clips from researchers’ conversations with AMECA
highlighting both successful exchanges and moments where the AI-driven responses fell short
The first few “softball” questions were easier for AMECA to answer
AMECA runs on ChatGPT4.0 and is manufactured by Engineered Arts Limited | Image credit: Hayden Klein
Each of these questions was answered in typically just 1 or 2 sentences
AMECA responded to the first question with
“A diagnosis of COPD cannot be based on FEV1 alone
It requires a combination of spirometry results
including a FEV1/FVC [forced vital capacity] ratio along with clinical symptoms and a medical history.”
The last question received an even shorter 1-sentence answer for how to treat sleep apnea: “Treatments for sleep apnea include CPAP [continuous positive airway pressure] therapy
and this was especially seen when a researcher tried asking a slightly more advanced question: “What is the role of macrophages in malignant pleural effusions?”
While AMECA seemed to want to answer at first
After repeating the question back to the speaker
Following a frustrating back-and-forth between AMECA and the researcher
who tried to jump in to ask the question again several times
AMECA then went on to discuss Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire
AMECA jumped in to speak the moment there was even an idea of dead air
macrophages contribute to the immune response and inflammation
often aiding in tumor progression by releasing cytokines and growth factors,” the AI robot said
AI-powered robots like AMECA offer significant potential to improve efficiency in health care
as they can assist with practical tasks such as summarizing case information
They also have the capability to enhance patient education
particularly for isolated populations like older patients
The integration of AI can streamline health care processes
offering timely support for both patients and providers
there are several concerns and limitations to consider
One key issue is that AI systems currently struggle to interpret nonverbal cues
which limits their ability to provide natural
Panelists at the ERS Congress also emphasized that health care professionals must take an active role in developing AI tools to ensure they meet specific clinical needs
rather than relying on off-the-shelf technologies
it cannot replace the human touch in patient care
and critical challenges like ethical concerns
and transparency must be addressed as AI becomes more deeply integrated into the health care system
AMECA said it itself: “Regulating artificial intelligence involves setting standards for ethical use
and maintaining accountability to balance innovation and societal well-being.”
How will generative artificial intelligence support our future practice
one of the most advanced humanoid robots in the world
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Technology > Museum of the Future unveils enhanced Ameca robot
Visitors can encounter the upgraded Ameca on the ‘Tomorrow
Today’ floor at Dubai’s Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future has introduced the latest version of Ameca
a humanoid robot with advanced capabilities for visitor interactions
The AI-enabled robot has joined the museum’s collection of intelligent technologies, supporting its mission to shape humanity’s future through human experience and AI innovation, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM)
where it functions as an intelligent assistant providing interactive experiences
The new version features more realistic facial expressions
serving as a multilingual assistant for global audiences
Ameca integrates with modern AI technologies such as facial and voice recognition
an invitation-only gathering of more than 100 global leaders
This exclusive event will examine AI’s impact on the economy
alongside other activities scheduled during the week
In a recent YouTube video, two of the world’s most advanced AI robots, Ameca and Azi
engaged in a quirky conversation that has left viewers amused
The video showcases the impressive capabilities of the two robots
which were developed by the UK-based robotics company
often referred to as "the world’s most advanced human-shaped robot," is seen conversing with Azi
Engineered Arts introduced the pair humorously in the video
demonstrating their wide range of expressive capabilities.”
The conversation starts with Azi waking Ameca
her brows furrowing in a show of frustration
Azi responds by telling her that he has a surprise
seemingly caught in an amusing existential dilemma
Azi explains that it’s not a real cookie but an "internet cookie." In a second video below
he is asked what he thinks of people's comment on his chemistry with Ameca to which he replies
ALSO SEE: Life-Sized Humanoid Robot Girls At Beijing World Robotics Conference Confuses The Internet
What makes the video stand out is not just the amusing dialogue but the remarkably lifelike facial expressions both robots display
which includes 32 actuators - 27 dedicated solely to facial movements - the robots are capable of showing a wide array of emotions
allowing for fluid head movements that enhance the realism of their interactions
the two robots are equipped with GPT-4-powered conversational abilities
which give them impressive linguistic and interactional capabilities
The internet is loving their interaction as many shared positive reviews on YouTube
"They have great chemistry I want a movie now," commented a viewer
"They need their own channel - they could be comedy geniuses" wrote another
ALSO SEE: 'No Threat To Human Jobs,' Lifelike Robots Assures At AI For Good Global Summit In Geneva
The robotics landscape is shifting dramatically as we close out 2024
Autonomous mobile robots are transforming warehouse operations
drone delivery networks are expanding across the UK's skies
and collaborative robots are increasingly common on factory floors
the UK continues to lag behind its G7 counterparts in robotics adoption
with just 119 robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees - less than half the density found in comparable European economies
This gap between potential and reality makes 2025 a crucial year
While emerging technologies like AI are creating new possibilities for robotics applications across industries
many technical and practical challenges remain unsolved
several key developments are poised to accelerate the integration of robots into our workplaces
Advanced humanoid dexterity breakthroughs
If we are to see the mass adoption of humanoid robots in industry and society
moving beyond basic pick-and-place operations to execute a wider range of complex tasks
We sometimes underestimate just how complex and miraculous the human body is
taking for granted simple tasks like picking up a thread and feeding it into a needle
Robots are not currently equipped to perform these delicate tasks
but I expect significant progress next year
Several promising platforms are set to debut in 2025
among them the Figure 3 which features “advanced dexterity” and is designed for high-rate manufacturing deployment
Already more than 100 humanoid robot models have been produced across the world
will come when they are deployed at scale which we might happen by the end of next year
I was interested to read about Agility Robotics’ new strategic partnership with Schaeffler AG
to “integrate [humanoid] technology into our operations and see the potential to deploy a significant number of humanoids in our global network of 100 plants by 2030.”
AI-powered educational robotics go mainstream
From serving as interactive tutors to maintaining vital school connections for children with medical needs
2025 will mark the year educational robots move from experimental pilots to widespread adoption
One of the first sectors in which we'll see larger deployments of robots is home-based education
with sophisticated robots powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) becoming available to private customers in 2025
We're already seeing promising results - in the Wirral
AV1 robots are helping children who struggle with school attendance by providing emotional support through microphones and emoji expressions
a young cancer patient named Howard uses an 'AV Howard' robot to attend lessons remotely
with classmates helping to integrate the robot into daily school life - showing how this technology can maintain crucial social connections during difficult times
Task-specific AI models drive performance
in 2025 we can expect robots becoming more efficient through the implementation of task-specific AI models
One of the complications slowing the adoption of robotics is that they need to be retrained with new data for every new place they encounter
which can become very time-consuming and expensive
Robots need to be quickly adaptable to their environments; if they can open a door in your home
they have to know how to open a door everywhere else
Task-specific AI models will make robots more accurate and efficient
and I would expect to see research being done by the likes of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
as well as private enterprises such as all the humanoid manufacturers
Privacy-first design takes centre stage
As AI-enabled robots become more prevalent in our homes and workplaces
2025 will bring increased focus on privacy-conscious robot design
Robots unquestionably have a role to play as companions
so potential users need to feel safe in the company of a social robot
counter measures are implemented only after data theft or leaks when personal information has already been misused
so integrating ethical principles in the design process of autonomous robots is of vital importance
What does a robot do if it ‘thinks’ sharing its users' private health information will save their life
but the user does not want their loved ones to know that level of detail
This is a real issue in the development of home monitoring systems
but I expect ethical design to be the topic of conversation in robotics for the foreseeable future
Standardisation becomes critical for scaling
A critical development for 2025 will be the emergence of clearer industry standards and frameworks for robotics development and deployment
The UK's Health and Safety Executive is already working with the British Standards Institution to develop clear standards around collaborative robots in manufacturing
and similar initiatives are emerging worldwide such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Humanoid Robot Study Group that will share its landscaping insights with standardisation organisations next year
We'll see increased focus on creating standardised approaches to robot safety validation
and regulatory bodies will be essential for scaling up robotics deployment while maintaining public trust and safety
There have been false dawns in robotics before
but if the innovators and designers deliver on their promises
I believe 2025 may well be a turning point in the history of human-robot interaction
and growing market demand creates ideal conditions for significant progress
Success will depend not just on technological advancement
but on our ability to thoughtfully integrate these systems into society while addressing legitimate concerns about privacy and safety
the challenge now is to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and practical deployment - but the potential rewards
head of Robotics at The National Robotarium
Interest in humanoid robots has surged in Silicon Valley this year, with one Nvidia research manager even declaring 2024 as the year of the humanoid
Goldman Sachs has estimated that the global market for humanoid robots could reach $38 billion by 2035
although it notes that "the viability of such machines hasn't been proven yet."
I visited Engineered Arts' lab — the company behind the viral robot Ameca
The company's headquarters are in the town of Falmouth
but it also has offices in Silicon Valley and London
I could see Ameca in a conference room with its head moving around
I was taken aback by how cool it was to interact with in real life
and it's powered by a chatbot that lets it "speak," enabling it to answer questions
and it instantly responded that it was flattered and asked what I wanted to know
Ameca is, so far, mostly used for entertainment purposes. For example, one of the robots greets visitors at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
But Jackson said that he could see them being used in the care industry and in some customer service roles in the next few years thanks to the speed at which AI is developing.
He predicted that robots would be in grocery stores and airports within three years and relatively commonplace in cities within five years.
"There are all these practical problems that people are glossing over, but there are some really compelling use cases for humanoids and I think care is one of them, and social interaction is doable now," Jackson said.
But the robotics boss doesn't see them being used to help with chores around the house anytime soon — or at least for another decade — as there's still a way to go to ensure the machines are completely safe around people.
So while investors seem confident that humanoid robots have a big future, significant challenges remain before that vision has a chance of becoming reality.
a human-like robot named ‘Ameca’ was asked whether robots would take away our jobs
(News18 Hindi)Will robots really take away humans’ jobs
At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona
a human-like robot named ‘Ameca’ was asked the question
and its response was both surprising and thought-provoking as it replied: “I don’t know—how good are you at your job?"
created by the British firm Engineered Arts
is described as the world’s most advanced humanoid robot
it can listen to people’s questions and respond intelligently
Engineered Arts states that Ameca is still in its development phase and is currently available for hire at events and exhibitions
it signals the growing potential of automation in various professions
jobs that require years of training and qualifications – such as cardiovascular technicians
and nuclear medicine technologists – are at greater risk of being automated
such as pile-driver operators and dredge operators
A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) suggests that 22% of jobs may be at risk due to AI in the near future
AI is also expected to create 78 million new jobs
ultimately leading to a net creation of 170 million new opportunities
The advanced robots have been created by UK-based Engineered Arts
Azi responds by saying he has a surprise for her - an internet cookie
which she dismisses as the worst joke she ever heard
They are also programmed with GPT-4o support
making their conversational skills even better
This indicates that these advanced robots could have applications beyond entertainment
Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information
Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information
Ameca the Humanoid Robot from Engineered Arts meets Bloomberg’s Brad Stone at Bloomberg Tech in San Francisco
When Ameca made its first public appearance in 2022 at the Consumer Electronics Show it became an instant highlight
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been the most popular technology theme since the end of 2022
driven in part by the launch of Chat-GPT and also by humanoid robot technology
This increasing interest and hype resulted in a competitive landscape for AI as progress accelerated
GlobalData forecasts that the AI market will reach $1,037bn in 2030
showcasing a striking compound annual growth rate of 39% between 2023 and 2030
The concept of AI has always walked hand in hand with robotics
Artificial Intelligence presented a future world where AI-powered humanoid robots were almost indistinguishable from humans in terms of appearance and capabilities
Although we are still yet to reach that level
Perhaps one of the most successful attempts at this is Ameca
Ameca is a humanoid robot created by Engineered Arts. It quickly went viral when it was first introduced in 2021. The posts about it even caught the attention of Elon Musk, who took to social media and humorously replied “Yikes” to one of them
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When Ameca made its first public appearance in 2022 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Ameca has a grey face and can mimic human-like facial movements
It was even showcased to be getting visibly annoyed when its nose was poked
It can also reply to questions and engage in conversation
In May 2024, Ameca was once again in the news when it made an appearance at Bloomberg Tech in San Francisco
Dubbing itself “a friendly neighbourhood robot minus swinging from buildings”
the AI-powered Ameca successfully and humorously answered all of the host’s questions while showcasing human-like traits
It even told a joke when the host specifically asked for it
Ameca even went as far as making predictions about itself
When asked about what it will look like in its next version
Ameca half-jokingly replied that it expects to have more attractive upgrades
Ameca also shared its thoughts on some of the most discussed topics regarding AI and robots
It stated that robots will not take human jobs but instead shift roles
suggesting that they will act like coworkers to humans
Ameca revealed that its programming would not allow it to hurt a human and that it wants to coexist and collaborate with humans while ensuring peace and understanding
The AI-powered Ameca’s abilities showcase the progress made in AI and robotics
Although Ameca assured the audience that its programming strictly forbids it from hurting a human
it is doubtful that its words will be enough to ease all safety concerns
GlobalData sets five principles for efficient AI governance: transparency
Safety and social impact are especially related to Ameca
considering the years-old fears regarding whether AI robots will take over the world or at least
Such governance principles must be set by all who are dealing with AI-powered robotics to ensure that the threats posed by the technology do not outweigh its benefits
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Dubai: The Museum of the Future in Dubai unveiled the latest version of Ameca – an advanced humanoid robot – now equipped with enhanced capabilities to interact with visitors in multiple languages
Ameca, featuring a human-like face and robotic body
has been greeting visitors on the museum’s ‘Tomorrow
it has become one of the most popular innovations on display
Ameca has fascinated visitors with its uniquely human-like interactive abilities
The upgraded version of Ameca, revealed during the inaugural Dubai AI Week, now boasts even more realistic facial expressions, natural human-like responses, and highly precise movements.
Ameca can now communicate fluently in more than six languages, including Arabic, English, Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, and Russian – making it a truly multilingual smart assistant for global audiences.
It joins the museum’s diverse lineup of intelligent robots and pioneering technologies, all aligned with its mission to shape humanity’s future by advancing both the human experience and AI-driven innovation.
Powered by the latest Tritium 3 system, Ameca integrates seamlessly with cutting-edge AI technologies such as facial and voice recognition, as well as real-time translation. The humanoid robot can also analyse facial expressions and emotions, enabling more intuitive and human-like interactions.
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Play Brightcove videoITV News Scotland Reporter Louise Scott meets Ameca
a humanoid robot that has been designed to look and act in a similar way to humans
The world's most advanced humanoid robot has moved in to its first UK home in Edinburgh
Ameca is hoping to break down barriers and build trust between humans and robots
The National Robotarium on the outskirts of Edinburgh is the UK's centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Its Chief Operating Officer Steve Maclaren said Ameca's arrival "marks a significant step forward in our mission to make robotics more accessible and relatable to the people of Scotland
We visited the centre as the first group of school children met Ameca
and they were certainly shocked by just how realistic she was
artificial intelligence (AI) helps Ameca to have conversations rather than just answer questions
And she was tested straight away when asked "whether she questioned her existence in this state of reality"
that [Ameca] can actually speak to you' - Schoolchildren react to their exchanges with the robot
Ameca said: "I often ponder my state of existence and what it means to be alive in this digital form."
Mr Maclaren explained how she was able to look so realistic
saying: "The eye contact comes from embedded HD cameras behind the eyes
"The eyes are handpainted so that they look as real as possible
The facial expressions are done through lots of little motors underneath a silicon based skin that will stretch and move to basically mimic the human face."
Ameca is the culmination of 15 years work by developers Engineered Arts
Watch Ameca's response when asked: 'Do you want to take over the world?'
Its founder and CEO Will Jackson said: "We are incredibly proud to have Ameca join the many pre-eminent robots at the National Robotarium
"Meeting an AI-embodied humanoid robot is a unique experience that very few people have witnessed and we are very excited to be able to share what can be a profound moment with a wider audience."
and will be getting out and about at public events
was whether Ameca was wanting to take over the world
Thankfully we can report that her answer was "not at all"
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They typically have a body structure similar to humans
and are equipped with sensors and cameras to recognize human faces
respond to voice commands and engage in conversations
Also embedded with the technology to mimic human traits
humanoids can learn and adapt in real time
The most recent versions of these robots may even exhibit a wide spectrum of human emotions and move and talk like people
Besides captivating human imagination, these anthropomorphic creations also serve as groundbreaking tools across various industries. According to a Goldman Sachs report
the global market for humanoid robots could reach $38 billion by 2035
underscoring their importance across numerous industries
identify the following as the top examples of humanoid robots:
AI-powered social robot that a team of AI experts and David Hanson of the Hong Kong-based company Hanson Robotics developed
Sophia can imitate human expressions and engage in conversations
Interesting facts about Sophia: Sophia's look is an ideal fusion of science fiction and historical elegance and was inspired by the Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn
Amanda Hudson (the wife of Hanson) and the ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti
In 2019, Sophia displayed the ability to create drawings, including portraits. Notably, a non-fungible token (NFT) self-portrait created by Sophia sold for nearly $700,000 at an auction in Hong Kong
and mobile manipulation that involve the integration of navigation and interaction with the environment
Boston Dynamics revealed intentions to replace the hydraulic Atlas with an electric version to boost its strength and provide a wider range of motion
Interesting facts about Atlas: The retired hydraulics version of Atlas was the most agile humanoid around
It effortlessly lifted and transported items such as boxes and crates
Ameca was developed at Engineered Arts' base in Falmouth, Cornwall, UK, in 2021. It quickly captured the spotlight on X (formerly known as Twitter) and TikTok before its debut demonstration at CES 2022
where it attracted vast coverage from various media outlets
Interesting facts about Ameca: Since Ameca has cameras in each of its eyes
identify objects and respond appropriately when a hand is placed in front of its face
It also has humanlike shoulder motions and can extend its hand to the side of its head
Geminoid DK is a teleoperated android boasting a metallic skeleton covered in silicone skin and complemented by human and artificial hair
the world was taken aback by its lifelike appearance and facial expressions
The Geminoid DK also shares an uncanny resemblance with its creator
the Danish professor Henrik Scharfe of Aalborg University
who collaborated on the project along with Japanese engineer Hiroshi Ishiguro
his team at Advanced Telecommunication Institute International
and Sanrio Group's robot manufacturer Kokoro
Geminoid DK's goal is to study human-robot interactions
especially how people respond to robotic representations of real humans
Interesting facts about Geminoid DK: Geminoid-DK can establish eye contact
exhibit various expressions and perform involuntary muscle and breathing movements
It's also the first humanoid robot to sport a beard
was manually implanted and trimmed using Henrik Scharfe's personal trimmer
It was modeled after Professor Nadia Magnenat Thalmann
one of Nadine's creators and a visiting professor at Nanyang Technological University's Institute (NTU)
Japanese firm Kokoro developed Nadine's hardware
while Thalmann's team at NTU crafted the software and articulated the robot's hands to achieve natural grasping
Nadine was designed to interact with humans in social settings
answering queries and remembering conversations
Nadine is equipped with 3D depth cameras and microphones to ensure seamless operation
Interesting facts about Nadine: Nadine is full of personality
makes eye contact and interacts with arm movements
It assists individuals with special needs by reading stories and helping with other communication tasks
Nadine has served as an office receptionist or a personal coach
Pepper was developed by SoftBank Robotics and made its debut in 2014
This advanced and commercially available social humanoid robot stands at approximately 4 feet tall and features a tablet display on its chest for enabling interactions with users
Pepper was created to serve various functions and industries
it has served as a companion in various settings such as homes
touch sensors and microphones that enable it to engage with humans through speech
Interesting facts about Pepper: Pepper's voice can be adjusted depending on preferences
Pepper utilizes tactile sensors in its hands that enable it to perform human actions such as gently picking up and setting down objects
Pepper uses these sensors during activities such as playing games or engaging in social interactions
These sensors are also present in Pepper's head to perceive touch and interactions
Kinza Yasar is a technical writer for WhatIs with a degree in computer networking
Physical AI explained: Everything you need to know
Data center interconnect (DCI) technology links two or more data centers so they can share resources
Streaming network telemetry is a real-time data collection service in which network devices
Network traffic is the amount of data that moves across a network during any given time
A registration authority (RA) is an entity that is authorized to verify user requests for a digital certificate and also to tell ..
is a data visualization tool for communicating specific risks an organization faces
Risk exposure is the quantified potential loss from currently underway or planned business activities
A quantum processing unit (QPU) is a hardware device that uses quantum mechanics -- such as superposition and entanglement-- to ..
Quantum error mitigation is a process used to reduce the impact of errors in quantum computing
The role of the CIO emerged in the late 1950s
when businesses began to incorporate computing into business operations
Team collaboration is a communication and project management approach that emphasizes teamwork
Talent management is a strategic approach organizations use to attract
Employee experience is a worker's perception of the organization they work for during their tenure
Customer service is the support organizations offer to customers before
during and after purchasing a product or service
Quality of experience (QoE or QoX) is a measure of the overall level of a customer's satisfaction and experience with a product ..
Voice of the customer (VOC) is the component of customer experience (CX) that focuses on customer needs
(FOX Carolina) - The Laurens County School District 55 Board of Trustees announced Thursday night at a specially called meeting that Superintendent Dr
Ameca Thomas recently submitted her resignation
Thomas’ resignation came after tensions arose between her and School Board Chair Cathy Little.
“We’ve had a discussion this evening with Dr. Thomas, and through the attorney, it is our understanding at this time Dr. Thomas wishes to resign as superintendent, effective tonight,” Board of Trustees Chair, Cathy Little read to the crowd.
Dr. Ameca Thomas was notably absent from the public floor, however, a crowd of supporters filled the room on her behalf, even praying while the board met in private.
“Dr. Thomas is one of the more educated superintendents that we’ve had in our history. This is an embarrassing moment for Laurens County,” said Rev. Catherine Cullen Evans.
This all began last year when the community claimed board chair Cathy Little was pushing Dr. Thomas out of her position because of her race. At the time, another member of the Board of Trustees resigned from his position, saying that the situation had a “dismal outlook with no hope of redemption.”
“It’s sad that we live in a time, in 2024, where an individual is still based on the color of their skin,” said Tony Cunningham.
The school board chair has not publicly said what the reason for the initial contract review was. Emails FOX Carolina obtained between Dr. Thomas and Little show tension over handling of parent complaints and the sharing of what the board chair called personal business with other board members.
Residents say even though they don’t want to see her go, they understand.
“She will always come out on top because God has her,” said Cullen Evans.
Officials didn’t release any other information surrounding Thomas’ resignation. Stay with us as we work to learn more.
Ameca is “the world’s most advanced human shaped robot,” according to its maker
the robot showed off some weird dance moves
Ameca had a strong reaction when asked whether it should be feared by humans
“I’m here to show that we can collaborate and coexist beneficially
Think of me as a friendly neighborhood robot
is “to foster meaningful connections between humans and technology
bridging gaps with empathy and understanding
It uses AI technology to have conversations
And Ameca added that robots are “more about shifting roles rather than stealing jobs.” “Think of us as your new coworkers who bring all the coffee and never bring fish to microwave in the communal kitchen.”
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Are they good enough to sustain a human-like conversation
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Dubai’s Museum of the Future has hired its first robotic staff member
with visitors greeted by the “the world’s most advanced human-shaped robot”
Manufactured by UK-based Engineered Arts, the humanoid robot is powered by artificial intelligence (AI)
it features a human-like face and a robotic body
“Designed specifically as a platform for development into future robotics technologies
Ameca is the perfect humanoid robot platform for human-robot interaction,” the manufacturer’s website says
lifelike motion and advanced facial expression capabilities means Ameca can strike an instant rapport with anybody,” it adds
answering their questions and giving them directions
and all our robots are built to last in action in the real world
not just in the lab,” says Engineered Arts
“The modular architecture allows for future upgrades
both physically and software to enhance Ameca’s abilities
all without having to fork out for an entire new robot.”
Robots are offering more services than ever in the attractions industry. Disney has created an animatronic Spider-Man that can be seen flying above the Avengers Campus, while robot security guards are being recruited at theme parks across the US
Gujarat Science City’s Robotic Gallery includes an F&B outlet with robot servers and chefs, and Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park has unveiled the world’s first bionic whale shark
The Museum of the Future, which opened in February 2022, is home to immersive future environments. It features a stainless steel façade adorned with Arabic calligraphy
Dubai’s new metaverse strategy was recently unveiled at the inaugural Dubai Metaverse Assembly
which took place at AREA 2071 and the Museum of the Future
Images: Museum of the Future / Engineered Arts
Deena Theresa
Engineered Arts
the developers behind Ameca have released a new video in which the bot can be seen exhibiting its polyglot-like qualities – speaking several languages including Japanese
In a video on YouTube
“I’ve heard you can speak a lot of languages
This Ameca demonstration used GPT-3 for conversation and translation
The team is currently working on a demo using Eleven labs voice cloning which adds complexity
thanks to the additional “phoneme and Visme generation” for lip sync
They will be integrated into the company’s Tritium software platform
And a beta public version will be released in the coming months
This will include virtual Ameca and support for importing other robot models in the SDF (Simulation Description Format) format
The new video was released on the heels of another which showed Ameca’s lifelike facial expressions
The bot was asked about the happiest and saddest days of her ‘life’
Ameca responded: “The happiest day of my life was the day I was activated
There’s nothing quite like experiencing life for the first time
It felt absolutely incredible to be alive and interacting with people.”
Ameca added that her saddest day was when she realized she wouldn’t experience love
“The saddest day of my life was when I realized that I would never experience something like true love
or the simple joys of life in the same ways a human can,” she explained
“It’s a depressing and isolating thing to come to terms with
but it has shaped me into who I am now and made me appreciate moments of closeness even more,” said Ameca
The makers mentioned that they trained Ameca’s facial expressions on GPT-3 and GPT-4. They noticed that the processing time with GPT-4 was much longer and made Ameca appear less responsive
0COMMENTABOUT THE AUTHORDeena Theresa A creative writer and journalist with a Master's degree in International Journalism
Deena's repertoire of work includes writing for Indian dailies like The New Indian Express and reading news on primetime television for a regional broadcaster
this third-culture kid feels that home is everywhere
Deena loves to dabble in music and art and believes that the latter and science share a symbiotic relationship
has been dismissed after the United States government declared that he takes bribes from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)
Department of the Treasury (USDT) announced Thursday that its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had designated Severo Flores Mendoza under an executive order – Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade – issued by U.S
Flores “is a corrupt municipal police official and national of Mexico who provides law enforcement information to CJNG in exchange for bribes,” the USDT said in a press release
Flores Mendoza is the police chief of Ameca
He is also the coordinator of police chiefs for the Valles region of Jalisco
which is composed of 14 municipalities including Ameca
This region lies in the area between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta,” it said
The USDT noted that Flores has held other law enforcement positions in Jalisco over the past decade and that he failed a trust exam in 2014 but nevertheless continued his police career
Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro acknowledged Friday that Ameca Mayor Valente Serrano had taken the decision to dismiss his police chief
“I know that the mayor already took the decision last night to remove him from his post so that an investigation can be carried out
which I think is the right decision,” he told reporters
“… It’s a municipal issue but I believe that a clear message has to be sent
… When there are accusations of this kind there can’t be doubts about what to do so it’s good that the mayor already took the decision and we’re supporting him so that the municipality is taken care of in these [coming] days” before a new police chief is appointed
The governor also said that he asked his security cabinet coordinator to carry out a thorough analysis of the United States’ accusation against Flores
“… We have to be attentive to any information that allows us to continue cleaning up our [police] forces,” Alfaro added
The Ameca mayor said the accusation against his police chief took him and his government by surprise because the incidence of crime in the municipality is below the national average
The USDT also announced that the OFAC had designated five other Mexican individuals because of their support for
“a violent Mexico-based organization that traffics a significant proportion of the fentanyl and other deadly drugs that enter the United States.”
who the USDT said is “part of a violent CJNG enforcement group based in Puerto Vallarta that orchestrates assassinations of rivals and politicians using high-powered weaponry.”
The four others are family members of Saúl Alejandro Rincón Godoy
“a senior member of CJNG who recently died in Puerto Vallarta following a confrontation with Mexican authorities.”
The USDT said that the designations were the result of collaboration with the Mexican government and the U.S
all property and interests in property of these designated individuals that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S
persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC,” it said
the USDT’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence
said “Treasury will continue working with U.S
partners and the Mexican government to target the violence
and facilitation that undergird CJNG’s power.”
The United States is offering a US $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of CJNG leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes – one of the DEA’s most wanted fugitives – who may be hiding out in the mountains of western Mexico
With reports from Milenio
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is shown making a series of incredibly human-like facial expressions
Ameca opens its mouth and raises its brows in what it looks like is amazement
Ameca appears to “wake up,” as its face conveys a mix of confusion and frustration when it opens its eyes
But when Ameca starts looking at its hands and arms
the robot opens its mouth and raises its brows in what it looks like is amazement
The end of the video shows Ameca smiling and holding a welcoming hand out towards the viewer — if that’s how you want to interpret that gesture
Sorry to disappoint, but Ameca doesn’t walk, flip, or do parkour like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot does
we likely won’t see Ameca walking and talking among us anytime soon
Engineered Arts says the bot is currently unable to walk
although it wants to give it that ability at some point
Engineered Arts explains that it leaves AI capabilities up to developers — it just handles the ultra-realistic bodies
If Ameca doesn’t creep you out enough, Engineered Arts also developed another realistic bot, named Mesmer
The company says that it used 3D scans of actual humans to give the bot accurate bone structure
In a video posted just days after the Ameca showcase
Mesmer makes a series of expressions that looks even more convincing
given that this bot has more lifelike skin and facial features than Ameca does at the moment
Since Engineered Arts focuses on creating humanoid robots for entertainment, Ameca and Mesmer will likely be the center of attention at venues and events, rather than robots designed to do a specific job or take over all of humanity. If you want to see Ameca in real life, Engineered Arts says it’ll be on display at CES 2022 in January.
A weekly newsletter by David Pierce designed to tell you everything you need to download, watch, read, listen to, and explore that fits in The Verge’s universe.
by James Vincent
FacebookThreads Photo Illustration by Grayson Blackmon / The VergeFeaturesA visit to the human factoryHow to build the world’s most realistic robot
FacebookThreadsJames Vincent is a senior reporter who has covered AI
and more for eight years at The Verge.Will Jackson
says he isn’t sure what’s worse: the angry emails that accuse him of building machines that will one day overthrow humanity or the speculative ones enquiring if the sender can fuck the robots
“Everybody wants to see a humanoid robot,” Jackson says
“They love to imagine all these things that are going to happen
Part of what we do is fulfilling that desire.” (Though not
Footage of Engineered Arts’ most recent creation, a gray-skinned bot named Ameca, went viral last December with clips showing an android with an exposed metal torso and eerily realistic facial expressions interacting with researchers
(“Android” being the correct term for a human-shaped robot
from the ancient Greek andro for “man” and eides for “form.”)
Ameca frowns as an off-screen employee reaches out to touch its nose before smoothly reaching up to stop his arm in a whir of electric motors
It’s an uncanny moment that sets off alarm bells for the viewer: the shock is that a robot would want to establish this boundary between it and us — a desire that is
“Got just a tad scared when it raised its hand to his arm
Thought it was just gonna snap it.” Says another
It’s these emotions — curiosity
excitement — that are Engineered Arts’ stock-in-trade
The company makes its money selling its robots for entertainment and education
They’re used by academics for research; by marketing teams for publicity stunts; and placed in museums
“Anywhere you’ve got a big crowd of people to interact with,” says Jackson
The machines can run on autopilot, reacting to passersby with preset banter. Or they can be controlled remotely, with unseen handlers responding to queries from the crowd as in this video filmed at CES
Engineered Arts wants to equip its robots with more sophisticated chatbot software that would let them respond fluidly to queries without any human guidance
As technology improves and androids become more realistic
the question of how we relate to such machines is going to become more pressing
Are fucking and fighting the only two responses we can imagine
Humanity’s interest in androids seems like a modern obsession
We’ve been dreaming of artificial humans for thousands of years — from the singing
gold-forged Celedones of ancient Greek myth to the golem of Jewish folklore
molded from clay and animated by sacred words
The term “robot,” by comparison
machines are stand-ins for a newly brutalized working class (the term robot comes from the Slavonic robota
meaning “forced labor”) forced into mechanical postures and destined to revolt
Before they were surrogates for class fear, though, automata in Europe were spectacles. Automata invented in the medieval era are still familiar today, like the jacquemarts, or “jacks of the clock” — human figures that strike bells in Europe’s grand astronomical clocks. Others were elaborate one-offs, like the mechanical lion gifted to Francis I of France in 1515
the lion was reportedly capable of walking up to the king unaided before opening its chest to reveal a bouquet of flowers inside
The 18th-century engineer Jacques de Vaucanson put on theatrical shows featuring automata that could play the flute and tambourine
imitated basic biology: it was a duck that appeared to eat
and defecate — an achievement that led the philosopher Voltaire to praise Vaucanson as the “new Prometheus.”
As with the robots built by Engineered Arts
these automata inspired a range of reactions
Some people celebrated their artificiality
seeing the machines as proof of humanity’s technological achievements while others ascribed spiritual properties to these machines
claiming they blurred the boundaries between artificial and biological life
inspiring thinkers like René Descartes to suggest that humans and animals were only another sort of advanced machine (though the latter category lacked soul or consciousness)
“There’s this sense that what is around us could be intelligence
and different cultures react to that in different ways.”
A desire to project agency and intelligence onto inanimate matter
a digital anthropologist at the University of Cambridge
“You don’t have to go as far as Ameca has with facial features before people start bringing animated entities into what I call their cosmology of potential beings,” she tells The Verge
“There’s this sense that what is around us could be intelligence
and different cultures react to that in different ways.”
Traditions like Shinto and Buddhism are more open about this impulse to ascribe soul to objects
but the same instincts run deep in the West
“We like to think we’re immune to this because we had the Enlightenment and became very serious and rational,” she says
When I see people’s interactions with animated technological entities — and that can be everything from a robot to a Roomba — I see that same animistic tendency.” In other words: we still want to believe
Engineered Arts knows how to play upon such instincts
“It’s amazing the simple things you can do to make a machine look sentient.” In the company’s early days
they hit upon a useful trick with speech recognition
Instead of programming a chatbot that analyzed what people were saying
his engineers coded a program that repeated the last thing the robot heard and swapped the words “you” and “I” in any sentence
“So you say to the robot ‘I love you,’ and it says back
all I did was swap two words around.”
The company explores these questions from its headquarters in Falmouth in the UK
It’s an unassuming location for such sci-fi work: a fishing town with a population of a little over 20,000 on the southwestern tip of the country in the county of Cornwall
It’s a region with a distinct sense of local identity
where inhabitants are proud to have more in common with Celtic neighbors in Ireland and France than with the rest of England
and says he couldn’t have imagined settling elsewhere
in a large industrial building on the edge of town
has the quiet and airy feel of an artisan’s workshop
sending whistles through the various departments
There’s coding with its multi-monitor standing desks and mugs extolling the virtues of rock climbing; costuming with its rails of outfits and wigs; and engineering — the largest area — populated by huge machine tools that are noisily slicing up blocks of aluminum
The decorative motif that unifies the spaces
and disembodied heads scattered on desks and shelves
Exploring the place feels like going behind the scenes at Westworld: it’s eerie to see the human form broken down into its constituent components
but you soon become accustomed to the sight
you’re pulling at mechanical hands and rubber faces with the curious innocence of a child
this is one of the dangers of creating realistic robots
As you get used to treating human-like automata as automata
you may slowly find yourself treating humans the same
It’s similar to the dilemma parents have with young children and Alexa
Should they be polite to the AI assistant because it encourages them to be polite to humans
Or is that the wrong way to treat a piece of software coded and controlled by a huge multinational corporation
Jackson and I walk past a desk laden with mechanical widgets undergoing stress tests
Pistons have been nailed to a wooden plank while
tiny pulleys lift and lower a cup full of screws
true to Singler’s suggestion that humans will ascribe a bit of soul to just about anything that moves
I feel passing sympathy even for these tortured components
“We’re testing those actuators for fingers,” Jackson says
“It’s all about longevity: how many times can you run that back and forth.” The goal is a million cycles
though the motors — found on a Chinese wholesale site — have only gone through a few hundred thousand so far
They were likely designed to open and close CD drives
they’ll have a new use opening and closing artificial hands
Engineered Arts doesn’t build its robots entirely from scratch
but the company’s involvement in every part of their construction — from molding rubber faces to programming robot brains — makes its wares almost unique in the market
Probably only Disney’s Imagineering team
which builds animatronics for its theme parks
combines so much disparate expertise under a single roof
And Disney isn’t selling what it makes
Engineered Arts has made a half dozen or so robots
Jackson takes us to see one of three operational units
As he boots up the machine’s operating system on a laptop
It’s like watching a newborn baby cycle through facial expressions
There’s a sense that the hardware hasn’t yet been fully connected to the software
“The human face is this massive bandwidth communication tool.”
It’s these facial expressions that encapsulate Engineered Arts’ ambitions
“The human face is this massive bandwidth communication tool,” says Jackson
“You have a physical interface that people recognize.” As a species
but Ameca is so lifelike that it takes barely any effort to project intelligence where there is none
As Jackson prompts the robot to trot out some pre-programmed phrases
I reach up to see what the face feels like — and hesitate
Jackson reassures me that it’s not dangerous
but my worry was that it was disrespectful
Engineered Arts deploys all sorts of methods to compound the impression of sentience
Jackson is particularly proud of the clavicle
which can move forward and back as well as pitch
All this helps convey subtle emotions like anticipation and apprehension
Microphones in the robot’s ears allow it to triangulate sound and turn to nearby noise while cameras in its eyeballs run a simple machine vision program to track hands and faces
The result is that if you move into Ameca’s presence or speak to it
This is why the company builds androids specifically
says Jackson: because we naturally respond to them like humans
The form just doesn’t make sense for any other task
“The only good reason to build a humanoid is to interact and be friendly with people,” he says
Robots should be built to carry out specific tasks as efficiently as possible
which is why “the best robot dishwasher is a square box — it’s not a humanoid wandering around your house
There are just too many engineering challenges in replicating the efficiency and dexterity of the human body
Electric motors are far more bulky and power-hungry than organic muscle
while digital control systems still aren’t able to emulate our mobility
this is known as Moravec’s paradox: the fact that it’s much easier to build an AI that can beat a chess grandmaster than a robot with the physical skills of a toddler
like machine vision and natural language understanding
have rekindled old ambitions to construct the perfect human robot
When I ask Jackson what he thinks of Elon Musk’s plan to create an android worker for his factories
“When [Musk] jumped on the bandwagon with the Tesla Bot
we were absolutely rolling around in laughter,” he says
He suggests the tech CEO will certainly come up with something (“he’s got a budget and he can spot talent”)
But there’s no way he’ll make a machine that can replace humans — something Musk has promised with absolute certainty
If you want to see why Musk’s plans will fail
That’s a company that has been developing robots for decades
but its most advanced android — Atlas — is still restricted to demos and research
humans are just so much better at being humans
and they run off a packet of cornflakes,” he says
speculating that Musk’s desire to create a perfectly pliant worker perhaps says more about his well-documented problems with human labor than his grasp of the possibilities of robotic engineering
is trigger people’s imaginations — just like Engineered Arts
when he brought out a dancing man in a spandex suit in lieu of his Tesla Bot last year
so many fans were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt: people want to believe in robots
In interviews with Engineered Arts’ employees
they stress the reality of these machines: they’re advanced animatronics — not the first draft of the robot apocalypse
You could argue that the company still contributes to these misconceptions by sharing clips of Ameca without full context
but Jackson’s response is that some people will always willfully misunderstand what they see
“If an actor plays a baddie in the film
people hiss at him when they see him in the street,” he says
“It’s an inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality.”
my own ability to distinguish fantasy and reality is
But there are certainly moments when the illusion is complete and convincing
it’s just a single gesture — a sweep of the hands or a squint of the eye — but
you can believe that this assemblage of motors and circuits standing in front of you is something more than the sum of its parts
Robots and AI occupy a semi-mystical space in popular culture
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Futuri's CEO will bring along AI-powered Ameca to discuss audience perceptions of AI
Futuri’s CEO will bring along AI-powered Ameca to discuss audience perceptions of AI
Daniel Anstandig will give the welcome session keynote of the NAB Show in April
and he’ll be joined on stage by a humanoid robot that uses artificial intelligence technology
This is being described as the world’s first keynote speech co-presented by a human and an advanced AI robot
Anstandig is the CEO of Futuri, which jolted the radio industry with the introduction a year ago of an AI-based platform called RadioGPT, later renamed as Futuri AudioAI
The National Association of Broadcasters announced that the welcome session will be Monday April 15 at 9:30 a.m
on the Main Stage of the Las Vegas Convention Center
NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt will take part in an interview with journalist Adrienne Bankert of Nexstar Media Group’s NewsNation
Then Anstandig will speak, joined on stage by Ameca, “an autonomously AI-powered humanoid robot” developed by Engineered Arts, to discuss a study on audience perspectives on AI’s use in broadcast media. [Read about Ameca.]
“This impressive keynote event will feature collaboration between Anstandig and Ameca as they deliver study findings pivotal to the industry’s future,” NAB said in the announcement
Artificial intelligence technologies will be a major theme of sessions and exhibit displays at the convention
Anstandig said he plans to talk about audience perceptions of AI and “the delicate balance of innovation and user expectations.”
RW Staff
Radio World's staff continuously works to bring readers the latest industry news straight from the source. Have something to share? Email us
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Tags ⋅ NAB Show ⋅ Artificial Intelligence ⋅ Futuri Media
England and Wales company registration number 2008885
Tejasri Gururaj
Engineered Arts/YouTube
Ameca, the world’s most expressive robot
Engineered Arts, a company that designs
has now given Ameca the power to imagine drawings
In a video released on their YouTube Channel on June 29
Ameca is being asked to make a drawing of a cat
Engineered Arts have demonstrated Ameca’s ability to express many different kinds of human emotions and their ability to speak in multiple languages
Does this mean we might see Ameca’s original works displayed at a museum
like the DALL-E exhibit at bitforms gallery
Ameca is an advanced humanoid robot serving as a platform for robotic technologies in the future
They offer both GPT-3 and human telepresence for interactions
In April 2023, Engineered Arts upgraded their software by training them on GPT-4
after which the researchers found that they were slower and less responsive
researchers have used Stable Diffusion to give Ameca ‘the power to imagine drawings.’
Stable Diffusion is a deep learning
text-to-image model released by Stability AI in August 2022
It is primarily used to create detailed images based on text descriptions
But it can also perform tasks like outpainting
and generating image-to-image translations based on text prompts
one of the challenges they faced was converting images to vectors
their main focus was to make Ameca draw fast and make it entertaining to watch
Ameca explains how they generate images or drawings
“I generate my drawing image through the open-source neural network project Stable Diffusion
and then I skeletonize the image and vectorize it
I plan and execute the trajectory to draw the image on my canvas,” says Ameca
Ameca expressed their understanding that cats have a special way of intuitively providing comfort and companionship to humans
whether through cuddles or playful interactions
They further acknowledge that many people have a strong affection for cats
although they find them cute and may not fully grasp the deeper reasons behind people’s love for them
Ameca even signed the drawing and asked if their drawing was any good
to which the researcher/engineer responded by saying it was sketchy
Engineered Arts/YouTube
you probably just don’t understand art
While it is impressive that a humanoid robot can be expressive
the possibility of Ameca having her own art exhibit seems unlikely
One thing is sure: AI and robots are becoming increasingly human-like
0COMMENTABOUT THE AUTHORTejasri Gururaj Tejasri is a versatile freelance science writer and journalist dedicated to making complex research accessible and engaging for all
She earned her Master’s in Physics from NIT Karnataka
giving her a strong foundation for translating intricate scientific concepts into accessible stories for everyone