With the presentation of Moya, the first biomimetic robot from the Chinese firm DroidUp, the robotics industry has reached a milestone by replicating human movement with an accuracy of 92%.
This advance places China in a position of competitive advantage, transforming prototypes into figures capable of maintaining body temperature and holding gaze naturally.
Moya weighs 32 kilograms and measures 1.65 meters, proportions designed to facilitate its integration into everyday environments.. What is relevant about this model is not only its balance, but its ability to make facial micro-expressions.
And by regulating its internal temperature between 32 and 36 degrees, the robot breaks the barrier of the «cold object» to approach a much more familiar human presence.
The challenge of emotional intelligence in humanoid robots
It should be noted that this humanoid uses a modular system that allows its external appearance to be changed without modifying the mechanical structure. This versatility is key for its deployment in different markets.
The applied engineering allows the robot to nod, smile or detect the position of its interlocutor to adjust its body language. It is an architecture designed to reduce the discomfort that overly artificial machines usually generate.
The estimated cost of this development is around 6,500 euros, a price that seeks to democratize access to advanced robotic technology by the end of 2026.
Unlike other projects focused on entertainment, this design targets sectors with high human interaction, such as healthcare or educational training.
But once the physical realism phase has been overcome, the researchers’ new objective is emotional intelligence. According to the media CBCthe current challenge lies in the robot learning to read social norms.
And the new generation algorithms are no longer satisfied with programmed responses, but rather They seek to interpret the sarcasm, boredom or fatigue of the interlocutor through voice analysis and facial gestures.
Current research, such as that developed by scientist Angelica Lim at Simon Fraser University, focuses on codifying social common sense.
The purpose is to prevent the machine from being simply a speaker with legs. Scientists are working to have the robot detect when a person is not comfortable or when a joke was not funny.
It is important to mention that this capability is what will separate current assistants from future co-workers in offices or receptions, so it is a big step for robotics.
Real empathy versus predetermined states
The fundamental difference between the current systems and what they seek to develop in China is the authenticity of the reaction.
While most artificial intelligences operate with preset moods, new models attempt to process the environment in real time.
This is crucial to avoid the creation of excessively servile machines that can generate psychological confusion in vulnerable users. The industry seeks balanced empathy that adds value in hospitals and customer service centers.
If the robot manages to understand the rules of social interaction, it will stop being perceived as a tool and will be seen as a capable collaborator.
It is important to mention that China has led the way: first it was appearance and movement, now it is the turn of psychology applied to humanoid robots.