RealBotix has introduced a new series of humanoid robots and they look remarkably like real human beings.
The ‘Eko’ machines feature highly realistic silicone skin and 39 degrees of freedom, allowing them to move just like actual people.
Users can choose from four distinct characters, each with a unique appearance and personality.
Arya has blonde hair and blue eyes, and is described as optimistic and curious; Mila has dark brown hair and green-hazel eyes, and is characterized as empathetic and nurturing.
There is also Dave, who is humorous and detail-oriented, and Amar, who possesses self-confidence and determination.
Unsurprisingly, these machines come with a hefty price tag; a full-body model is being sold for $59,950 (£45,115).
Andrew Kehgil, Chief Executive of RealBotix, stated: “Eko robots represent a major breakthrough in our efforts to improve human life through social machines.”
He added: “We are developing companions capable of assisting, educating, and caring for people in meaningful ways.”
Eko units are available in two versions: a tabletop model and a full-body version.
The tabletop version, priced at $11,950 (£8,983), consists of a head and neck; according to the company, it is well-suited for “education, therapy, and personal well-being.” The full-body model, on the other hand, features a complete frame and stands six feet tall (female version) or 6.4 feet tall (male version). Realbotix explains: “Each ‘Echo’ unit features the company’s proprietary, hyper-realistic, silicone-based synthetic skin and advanced facial expressions, enabling genuine and empathetic interaction.”
“Speakers embedded in the chest area provide clear, natural-sounding audio, facilitating easy conversation and interaction.”
“Echo robots understand over 100 languages and respond in the same language in which they are addressed.”
Regarding potential applications, the company states that these units can be utilized in elderly care, wellness, hospitality, retail, education, or corporate services.
However, the high price tag may deter many potential buyers.
The full-body version is priced at $59,950, with an additional $24,950 required for the complete artificial intelligence suite, dubbed “Da Vinci Vision.”
Realbotix notes: “Da Vinci Vision enables the Echo to identify who is in the room, allowing it to respond to specific individuals rather than merely reacting to spoken words.”
Upon the product’s launch, the company shared a video on its social media channels; however, several skeptical users questioned whether artificial intelligence had been used in the video.
One viewer commented: “Trying to figure out if this is an AI-generated video or the real thing. The difference in quality compared to your previous models is striking.”
Another person remarked: “This is an AI-generated video, but the concept is excellent.” “The price is still too high. If it could be brought down to $2,000, it would become a trend; enthusiasts would start working on it and contribute ideas to further improve these robotic heads or at the very least, make them as impressive as the one shown in your AI video.”
Expressing annoyance, one user wrote: “Stop posting this AI junk.”
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