A 20-second video from a Chinese humanoid robot factory has sparked debate on social media today. It features highly realistic-looking, partially-skinned humanoids under construction, offering a glimpse into an advanced level of humanoid technology.
Uploaded by ‘meimei4515,’ the video displays androids with human-like hair and skin, a sharp departure from the more robotic-looking general-purpose humanoids typically discussed. The visuals include rows of feminine cyborgs, disembodied heads on stands, fully human-like presenter types dressed in casual clothing, and a surreal tree of humanoid arms, moving in unison.
This eerie setting is reminiscent of the Westworld series’ workshop, showcasing an unsettling blend of reality and robotics. The narrator, speaking in Chinese, mentions “before that, the employees had already started mass production,” hinting at the scale of operation.
Upon investigation, it’s revealed that this footage is linked to ExRobots, a company known for displaying similar setups at expos. According to their website, ExRobots specializes in creating “efficient and friendly smart guide services” for various sectors including government, healthcare, and retail.
ExRobots also operates the ‘Ex Future Science and Technology Museum‘ in Dalian, likened to a robotic version of Madame Tussaud’s. This museum features animatronic figures such as Einstein and Edison. It emphasizes interactive and customizable experiences, such as driving a humanoid head using motion capture and getting 3D-scanned on a rotating platform.
Despite the flashy and titillating nature of the video, the core product of ExRobots revolves around creating animatronic mascots and presenters for corporate clients, rather than developing practical humanoids for everyday use.
However, this video’s intrigue lies beyond its initial shock value. The broader humanoid sector in 2024 is thriving, with significant advancements in AI-powered robotic workers. Chinese companies like Unitree, UBTech/Baidu, and Astribot, among others, are pushing forward with robots capable of performing useful tasks, paralleling efforts by North American firms like Tesla and Boston Dynamics.
Boston Dynamics is notably developing a new Atlas robot, evolving from hydraulic to electric actuators, setting a new benchmark in humanoid capabilities.
Thus, while the video captures attention with its lifelike animatronics, it’s essential not to lose sight of the significant strides being made in the humanoid robotics field, promising profound changes to human society facilitated by advancements in AI and robotics.
