Robot love interests may no longer be the stuff of science fiction after a company unveiled its latest customisable AI-powered companions.
US firm Realbotix claims its technology can “[transcend] the barrier between man and machine” and could even help tackle an epidemic of loneliness.
A full-bodied female companion model called Aria drew attention at the major CES technology conference in Las Vegas this week.
Realbotix chief executive Andrew Kiguel shared his hopes for the robots in a video shared on social media.
“This is our flagship humanoid AI-powered robot,” he told a reporter. “She’s highly realistic, she has her own social media so she may be competing with you one day. What makes her really special is you can talk to her and ask questions.
“Some of our peers in the robotics space make robots to replace human labour. We think that’s a great area but we think there’s a much bigger area in having social robots.”
Mr Kiguel said the AI that powers Aria’s conversational abilities could be programmed and gave the example of using the robot to promote a brand. But he also had high hopes for their use to relieve loneliness.
The tech boss said: “There’s a huge epidemic among adults and teenagers on loneliness. She can be programmed to know you and learn more about you. She can make that bond with you that feels like a genuine human connection.
“They don’t have the ability to clean the house, they don’t do physical labour. But they’re more there to converse with you, it’s companionship. They can actually even be a boyfriend or a girlfriend, so we have built that into our AI.”
Realbotix has also announced a latest model called Melody, with features including advanced vision systems which allow her to track movement, maintain eye contact and identify objects.
The robot can also be disassembled, allowing her to be packed into a suitcase for transportation.
Mr Kiguel said: “Melody was created with the intention of having robots that are easy to travel with and modify for various forms of personal interaction.”
Prices start at just over £8,000 for a robotic bust that offers multiple facial expressions and rises to £120,000 for a model that includes robotic arms, hands, and articulated fingers.
The full-bodied robot, which is fully interactive and has a mobile base and additional motors for enhanced torso movement, would cost £160,000.
Humanoids can even be made to replicate a celebrity or historical figure, and users can provide images for facial customization.
