The world's first biomimetic AI robot, Moya, has made its debut with an astonishing 92% human-like walking accuracy. But what sets Moya apart is its uncanny ability to mimic human behavior, from maintaining eye contact to displaying subtle facial expressions. This level of realism has sparked both fascination and unease among Chinese social media users, highlighting the ongoing debate around the 'uncanny valley' phenomenon.
Moya, developed by the robotics company DroidUp, is designed to embody artificial intelligence, perceiving, reasoning, and acting within the physical world. Standing at 1.65 meters tall and weighing around 32 kilograms, Moya's proportions closely resemble those of an adult human. Its body temperature is maintained between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius, adding to its lifelike presence during interactions. The robot's walking posture boasts an impressive 92% accuracy, ensuring stable and natural locomotion.
The robot's design and technology have sparked mixed reactions online. Some viewers find Moya's realism captivating, while others describe its movements as unsettling, echoing the 'uncanny valley' phenomenon. Moya's development builds upon DroidUp's previous work in humanoid robotics, though the company has disclosed limited technical details about the platform underlying the robot. Moya is built on a 'Walker 3' chassis, a modular design that allows for customization of its external appearance without altering the underlying mechanical structure.
DroidUp's approach to Moya's design is unique, as it aims to cross the 'uncanny valley' rather than avoid it. The company envisions Moya being used in various commercial environments, such as healthcare and education, where human-robot interaction is crucial. Unlike other robots, Moya is not solely designed for industrial tasks or high-speed athletic demonstrations. Instead, it targets settings that require prolonged interaction and a sense of approachability, with a reported starting price of around 1.2 million yuan. The final pricing and availability details are yet to be announced, but Moya is expected to enter the market by late 2026.
