We recently covered Emily, a life-size AI-assisted ‘companion doll’ from Singapore-based Lovense. But it actually isn’t a new idea. Dolls have long been around, of course, but the idea of a robotic version has also been seen before. However, the sands are now shifting and we’re seeing more AI used to enhance the user experience.
Realbotix was founded in 2020, but its AI-powered humanid robots are rooted in older projects such as the Harmony AI Doll. This was first developed and publicly revealed in 2017, profiled in this BBC article.
When a prototype of the sex doll was introduced late last decade, the doll was capable of basic animated expression while AI meant that ‘conversational interation’ had become possible even if – as we recently saw with Emily – the conversation elements are still quite limited.
Robotix has since focused on more commercial purposes for its robots. Significant improvements have focused mainly on conversational AI. Over the last couple of years there has been work to integrate large language models like ChatGPT as well as the introduction of AI vision systems for face recognition and object tracking.
More conversational
Realbotix has demonstrated more advanced humanoid robots including at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES). “Realbotix is helping to define how humans interact with robots,” said Andrew Kiguel, CEO of Realbotix at the time. “We’re continuing to push the envelope with more robots, new features, and technology that pushes the limits of realism and AI.”
While Harmony was touted as a companionship doll, the company behind them is now marketing the idea for events, training and more. As Realbotix says on its site, its companionship robots are “ideal to tackle North America’s staggering loneliness epidemic”. These robots have customizable physical features, so you’re able to decide on the skin, eyes, hair and body type.
Realbotix showed off Aria, the company’ ‘flagship AI ambassador’, alongside three other new AI robots. The company was touting “advancements in facial expression dynamics, conversational intelligence, emotional recognition, and motion fluidity, powered by proprietary AI and robotics architecture.”
Aria should really be classified as a high-end humanoid as they include advanced servo-driven facial expressions and even body movement that move them closer to robots rather than dolls. Many AI dolls demonstrated so far don’t have movement below the neck.
Ask Aria is Realbotix’s interactive conversational platform that connects AI to real-world experiences through voice, gesture, and emotion.
“We’ve built a world-class foundation for AI embodiment where software and hardware meet personality and presence,” added Kiguel.
This means more nuanced, contextually relevant conversations are possible, as is potential support for languages beyond English – here’s a demo between two robots speaking Spanish, for example.
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