We’ve come a long way from fearful predictions of artificial intelligence taking over humanity and futuristic renderings of robots that look like CP3O had a baby with Rosie (the robot maid from The Jetsons). Today’s robots are eerily realistic, mimicking human skin texture and perfecting subtle expressions.
Engineers have crafted silicon skin that mimics human skin texture; they are perfecting the subtleties of expression. They’ve even crafted autonomous-minded conversationalists with the ability to learn and store information based on interactions with humans and other robots.
No, robots and AI haven’t taken over the world yet, but their brains are in our technology, and the robot model can be so realistic it’s terrifying. Here are ten realistic robots that will freak you out.
Ai-Da
Ai-Da, the robot artist, recently made headlines when she was stopped from boarding a flight due to surveillance concerns. Ai-Da’s sophisticated programming allows her to process everything she needs to sculpt, paint, and draw. Her torso and up are all very developed, and engineers gave her a fitting female voice. What entirely gives her away as a robot is her pair of exposed, mechanical arms.
Her claim to fame is being the first AI to create self-portraits. Her creators programmed her to do that, and there’s no sign of sentience—yet. But this accomplishment still shows the potential of a robot to infiltrate more than computers and numbers. Even art is on the table.
Sophia
Sophia the robot stormed onto the scene in 2016 and immediately went viral. Developed by Hanson Robotics, she is incredibly realistic, with very human-like responses and facial expressions. Just watch her speak! It’s the eyebrows, the way she moves her head when she speaks, even the quality and texture of her skin…it’s crazy.
Sophia’s ability to hold entire conversations with people has led to several appearances on late-night talk shows and other platforms of interest. She provides the blueprint for innovative research into robot-human interaction and the future of AI in general.
Geminoid DK
Geminoid DK is an ultra-realistic robot modeled after Danish professor Henrik Scharfe (down to the way he shrugs his shoulders). DK acts as Scharfe’s surrogate, and Scharfe operates it remotely.
Geminoid was originally unveiled in 2011 as a way to study the interactions between humans and robots. Out of all the robots here, you’d never guess this was a robot until you see that his bottom half is hooked up to all sorts of computers.
Jennie the Robo Dog
Jennie is a robot therapy dog for people who cannot care for pets. Unlike many robotic animals that are mostly exposed to the “bones,” Jennie is modeled after a fluffy golden retriever and was given all the cute nuances.
Its face is a little like a taxidermy project gone wrong, but it’s real enough to be convincing from a distance…it’s pretty creepy. Still, the creator has gone to great lengths to meet a need, and he’ll probably be a very rich man one day. Even if robot dogs aren’t man’s best friend.
Nadine
Nadine, developed in Singapore by Professor Nadia Thalmann, is a “social robot” capable of conversation, remembering things you tell her, and learning. Her design isn’t half bad, and engineers even gave her hands!
Nadine’s potential to become a prototype companion robot is pretty high, and her purpose is noble. But she is a little freaky looking—only because she’s a robot. I’m sure she’s a lovely human being.
Henn na Hotel Workers
The Henn na Hotel in Japan is staffed almost entirely by AIs. These AIs are not only friendly and experts in hospitality, but they are also multilingual. There’s even an English-speaking dinosaur robot! This is great for business, as the robots have entirely opened up the hotel to the world’s travelers and unique hotel enthusiasts.
The hotel’s concept is centered around technological evolution. Maybe in the future, humans won’t need to eat.
U.S. Air Force Nano-drone
This micro aerial vehicle (MAV), or nano-drone, was designed to fly and land perfectly on someone’s skin. An operator controls it from afar. The MAV has eyes and ears, too (a camera and a built-in microphone). This thing can “bite” you, take a DNA sample, and inject an RFID chip underneath your skin. That is a tracking device.
Today, it’s tracking devices. What is it going to be tomorrow, terminal illnesses?
PETMAN
Developed by Boston Dynamics, PETMAN tests how well a soldier’s clothes and protective gear can withstand hazards. He was engineered to move like a soldier, too. It can squat, jump, do push-ups, and maintain homeostasis.
Though PETMAN isn’t a skinned robot, when put into military gear, you can’t tell. It makes you wonder how soon robots we’ll be fighting our wars for us or instilling peace.
Diego-san
Diego-san is a one-year-old robot baby developed by UC San Diego, Kokoro, and Hanson Robotics in 2013. Its baby purpose is to help researchers study cognitive development. You could put clothes and a wig on it, and that would do just fine to cover up its pneumatic actuators.
It can also interact with humans the way a one-year-old would.
HRP-4C
HRP-4C is a neat robot. Why? It can dance! In fact, it can full-on entertain, sing, and perform alongside humans. Though engineers and artists have come a long way with facial expressions, they still haven’t mastered the art of fluid movement.
The more you look at HRP-4C, the freakier she gets, and the more you question whether or not an Austin Power’s fan made her emulate Fembots.
From robot artists to spy drones, the world of robotics is rapidly evolving, blurring the lines between science fiction and reality. These ten realistic robots showcase the incredible advancements in AI and engineering, while also raising questions about the future of human-robot interaction. Whether they inspire awe or unease, these creations are undoubtedly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
What do you think about these robots? Which one freaks you out the most? Leave your comment below!
