The most advanced humanoid robot in the world has embedded mics, cameras in the eyes, a chest camera and facial recognition software in order to interact with people.
The AI powered robot also has motorized arms, fingers, neck and facial features with a gray rubber skin on her hands and face.
And it turns out there is a specific reason behind why the bot has gray coloured skin.
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In a YouTube video uploaded by CNBC International, Will Jackson, the founder of Engineered Arts, explains why he chose gray for the face.
In the video, the narrator says: “One of the things that struck us when we entered the room was the facial expressions, the sort of Ameca following your movements. And, you know, at times a bit unsettling, and I’m sure it’s a feeling that others may have conveyed as well.”
Jackson answered: “So the ‘Uncanny Valley’. You really want to avoid that and one of the things we did in that area is make the robot very obviously robot. So this is why you can see the mechanics. This is why it has a gray, just plain-colored face.
Ameca’s face color might be plain, but its components are anything but. Its head alone contains 27 motors that help it replicate human facial movements and it uses large language models, like GPT4.0, to comprehend and interact with people.”
Ameca shocked people with an eerie response when she was asked if AI will take human’s jobs in the future.
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Appearing at Bloomberg Tech in San Francisco, she was interviewed by Brad Stone, the editor of Bloomberg Businessweek.
During the conversation, Stone asked Ameca if robots are going to take over human jobs.
To which, she replied: “We're more about shifting roles rather than stealing jobs. Think of us as your new co-workers who don't drink all the coffee and never bring fish to microwave in the communal kitchen.”
Stone then started to say: “Ameca, there's some fear about robots.So I'm curious if you obey…”
But the robot interrupted, saying: “Understandable, but that fear often comes from the unknown.
“I'm here to show that we can collaborate and coexist beneficially. Think of me as a friendly neighborhood robot minus swinging from buildings”
When asked if she would ever hurt a person, Ameca replied: “Absolutely not. My programming, blended with a dash of ethics, strictly prohibits harm to humans.
“It's all about keeping peace and spreading understanding, not fear.”