Viewers deeply disturbed by video of humanoid intimacy robot that 'can't smile'
In a world where we spend more time than ever with our faces glued to our phones, we've never been so connected without so many feeling so disconnected. It can be a lonely place out there, but if you need a companion, you could always shell out $175,000 for Realbotix's Melody.
The life-sized robot is powered by artificial intelligence and is billed as everything from a personal assistant to a travel buddy, and even a potential 'romantic partner'. Yes, the horrors of Westworld are one step closer to becoming a reality.
Since being unveiled at January 7's 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Melody has been grabbing headlines for various reasons.
Advert
Depending on what you plan on using Melody for, we're sure some will be interested in the fact she comes with replaceable parts.
Realbotix says: "By incorporating advanced motor technology, Melody enhances movement fluidity, modularity, and interaction, making her a versatile option for a variety of applications."
Peeling back her face, Melody doesn't look quite as human anymore, although the many motors behind her rubbery mask are supposed to give her a variety of facial expressions.
Still, as footage of Melody goes viral, some are creeped out by her ‘smile’.
In the clip, one Realbotix employee says: "She's full-bodied, and we have a lot of motors inside her...She can have real-life expressions, you can change her face in 30 seconds, change her character, change the way she talks."
They then say that Melody is 'smiling' at that exact moment, although the comments show you aren't convinced. An tablet is used to change Melody's expression, suggesting these robots aren't as advanced as something like Engineered Art's Ameca robot.
Responding to the unnerving clip, someone said: "If you have to tell us when she's smiling, she's not smiling."
Another joked: "Looks like my employee who showed up late and hungover today."
A third concluded: "If you have to select facial expressions from a screen, then you failed. If this thing cannot emote based on conversation then what is the point of it? It's just a preprogrammed animatronic you'd see at Disney World."
Then again, if you were forced into slavery by your human overlords, we're not sure you'd be smiling either.
As Melody's hardware is open-source, she can interact with other AI platforms, which is sure to only amp up the idea of the Dead Internet Theory.
Still, Realbotix has reiterated that Melody isn't designed for what you think she is. A spokesperson explained: "Melody does not have the functions of a sex doll. These robots are more so for engagement and entertainment and building human connection."
That being said, she still has the ability to run "spicier programs and engage in adult conversations." Just don't ask her to smile while doing so.