[“Would you like a clone robot of yourself” or another person? Interesting Engineering reports on a Russian startup making it possible. Follow the links for more information about Robo-C, and for more on Russia and robots see recent coverage by BBC News. –Matthew]
[Image: Source: Promobot website]
Russian Firm Sells Autonomous Robot Clones of Real People
The androids are both for professional and personal use.
By Loukia Papadopoulos
November 03, 2019
Russian startup Promobot is now selling autonomous robot clones of any real person. This is the key selling point of their robot called Robo-C as their website states: “Order a robot with the appearance of any person to your office or home.”
An anthropomorphic machine
According to a press statement released by the firm, android Robo-C is “a completely anthropomorphic machine. It copies human facial expressions: can move its eyes, eyebrows, lips and other “muscles”, and also keep the conversation going and answer questions.”
Robo-C has over 600 facial expressions and life-like artificial skin. The company considers itself a manufacturer of service robots and believes that its androids may soon replace human workers.
However, it is also extending its services to personal use such as in cases of a personal assistant. “Everyone will now be able to order a robot with any appearance — for professional or personal use,” said Aleksei Iuzhakov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Promobot.
“We can build a linguistic model based on popular phrases of a particular person – the robot will communicate and answer questions by analyzing frequent expressions of the “original” and using a certain context of knowledge of this person,” he added.
Four orders
The robot can not walk yet, but its neck and torso can move just like a real person’s. Promobot told CNBC it already has four orders for Robo-Cs.
One bot will be working in a government agency while a second bot will be a clone of Albert Einstein for a robot exhibition. The last two have the strangest purpose.
They were bought by a Middle Eastern family to be clones of the mother and father. They will spend their time greeting guests that come to visit.
What do you think of the humanoid Robo-C? Would you like a clone robot of yourself?