China is light years ahead with increasingly realistic humanoid robots. DroidUp has designed one of the most disturbing models: it can walk, maintains eye contact and makes facial expressions.
The Chinese company has presented its new robot called Moya at an event held in Shanghai. DroidUp describes it as the world’s first fully biomimetic embodied intelligent humanoid.
Moya takes artificial intelligence to the next level
DroidUp’s humanoid robot is much more than artificial intelligence. Moya can perceive its environment, reason and move within the physical world, it does not only operate in purely digital environments.
The diary South China Morning Post (SCMP) has shared the first images of Moya in action. This humanoid robot can smile, nod, or make eye contact during a conversation in a completely natural way.
The humanoid also walks, almost perfectly imitating the movement of a person. DroidUp has confirmed that the robot’s walking posture is 92% accurateit is natural and stable.
Moya is so precise in his movements that he can even replicate human micro-expressions. DroidUp has managed to get this biomimetic robot, as they call it, closer to the expression of emotions, although for the moment it is only through gestures.
The most human robot on the market
Moya is 1.65 meters tall and weighs approximately 32 kilograms. He is designed with proportions as similar as those of an adult human. DroidUp confirms that It is so realistic that it maintains a body temperature of between 32 and 36 degrees.
The Chinese company has clarified that the base of this humanoid robot is designed to work with a modular design. DroidUp allows you to customize Moya’s external appearance without altering its mechanical structure.
This biomimetic humanoid robot is so realistic that some attendees at the presentation event found it somewhat disturbing. SCMP’s Llewellyn Cheung commented that some Chinese users claimed that its extreme realism even caused them discomfort.
DroidUp is aiming high with Moya, they don’t want her to become a domestic robot in the style of Elon Musk’s Optimus. The company hopes the humanoid will be used in healthcare, educational environments or spaces where human-robot interaction can add value, from stores to offices.
Moya could go on sale at the end of 2026 with a Starting price around 1.2 million Japanese yen, about 6,500 euros. The final price and availability is still unknown.