Viral video of humanoid robot shows it blinking, scanning room
A Chinese robotics company has developed a terrifyingly realistic robot head that is capable of expressing a wide range of emotions.
In a video that has since gone viral on X, the robot’s head looks around the room with a curious expression.
It’s accompanied by extremely subtle facial movements including the furrowing of eyebrows and blinking of the eyes, making it extremely believable.
The company behind the robot is Hangzhou-based AheadForm. Their work primarily centres around creating “sophisticated humanoid robot heads that can express emotions, perceive their environment, and interact seamlessly with humans.”
Sophisticated, indeed. And judging by the reaction online, maybe a little more sophisticated than we’re comfortable with.
“Well... Westworld is closer than I thought.” remarked one Reddit user, referencing the science-fiction television series about lifelike androids, called “hosts”.
“The eye movement is so natural! The blinking doesn’t feel intentional, like it’s actually happening reflexively,” another pointed out.
And one user on X simply said, “Oh, we’re screwed.”
The company’s founder, Hu Yuhang, believes that humanoid robotics will indisputably play a role in our future, and that the differences between human and robot are eventually going to be indistinguishable from each other.
Speaking to South China Morning Post, he revealed, “Within ten years, we might interact with robots and feel like they are almost human.
Maybe in 20 years, they could walk normally and perform some tasks just like a human.” The Chinese government has poured support into robotics, an area in which some experts think China might already have the upper hand over the United States.
According to Morgan Stanley, China’s AI industry and related sectors could grow into a market valued at $US1.4 trillion by 2030.
According to Morgan Stanley Research, China’s AI industry could grow to $US140 billion ($A212b) by 2030.
The estimate jumps drastically to $US1.4 trillion ($A2.12 trillion) when including related sectors such as infrastructure and component suppliers.
“The nation’s robust academic foundations, innovative methodologies, data, talent and increasing foreign investment are propelling it toward becoming a leading AI powerhouse,” said Shawn Kim, Morgan Stanley’s Head of Technology Research in Asia.
