• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Scientists create creepy robot that can smile back at you

Home> Science

Updated 13:51 3 Apr 2024 GMT+1Published 13:52 3 Apr 2024 GMT+1

Scientists create creepy robot that can smile back at you

Emo can replicate your facial expressions.

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

AI researchers have been developing a robot capable of mimicking human facial expressions.

The artificial robot called Emo can pick up subtle clues in human facial expressions and use this information to predict what your face is about to do.

The result is pretty impressive but quite scary when you see it in action.

To teach Emo how to do this, the research team at Columbia University put it in front of a camera letting it create a series of random movements.

Advert

After a few hours of this, Emo began to learn how its facial movements matched up with different expressions and motor commands.

Yuhang Hu/Columbia Engineering
Yuhang Hu/Columbia Engineering

The team also developed two AI models, with one predicting human facial expressions and the other one generating commands to use the matching facial expressions.

The developers have been trying to fine-tune the robot's reflexes down to the millisecond. Consequently, Emo can now smile as well as anticipate and mirror human facial expressions within 840 milliseconds.

Advert

Thanks to its high-resolution cameras in the pupil of each eye, Emo can make eye contact, crucial for nonverbal communication.

The fact Emo has silicone skin is supposed to make him look more human and less scary - whether it works is another story.

Yuhang Hu, Columbia Engineering PhD student and study lead author, said: ‘I think predicting human facial expressions accurately is a revolution in [human-robot interactions].

‘Now, the robot can integrate human facial expressions as feedback. When a robot makes co-expressions with people in real-time, it not only improves the interaction quality but also helps in building trust between humans and robots.

Advert

Yuhang Hu/Columbia Engineering
Yuhang Hu/Columbia Engineering

‘In the future, when interacting with a robot, it will observe and interpret your facial expressions, just like a real person.’

Currently, Emo can only interact with people through this method of replicating expressions. However, the team is optimistic about merging the robot's physical abilities with a large language model system like ChatGPT.

Of course, large technological strides like these come with potential ethical problems.

Advert

'Although this capability heralds a plethora of positive applications, ranging from home assistants to educational aids, it is incumbent upon developers and users to exercise prudence and ethical considerations,' added team leader Hod Lipson.

'But it’s also very exciting, by advancing robots that can interpret and mimic human expressions accurately, we're moving closer to a future where robots can seamlessly integrate into our daily lives, offering companionship, assistance, and even empathy.

'Imagine a world where interacting with a robot feels as natural and comfortable as talking to a friend.'

Featured Image Credit: Yuhang Hu/Columbia Engineering
AI
Science

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

14 hours ago
20 hours ago
2 days ago
5 days ago
  • kinpanama / TikTok
    14 hours ago

    Truth behind tentacled 'creature' seemingly emerging from inside 'meteorite' after video goes viral

    Could it be Cthulhu?

    Science
  • ABC
    20 hours ago

    Doctor reveals what really happens to your body when you go under anesthesia

    It's some people's biggest fear

    Science
  • Katarzyna Ledwon-Zarzycka / Getty
    2 days ago

    Scientists create world's first ever 'time crystal' that could end up on $100 bills

    It could be used as an anti-counterfeit measure

    Science
  • Bill Turnbull/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
    5 days ago

    Experts reveal heartbreaking reason thousands of victims of 9/11 have still not been identified

    Almost half of the remains are still not identified to this day

    Science
  • Scientists create world's first ever 'time crystal' that could end up on $100 bills
  • Viewers deeply disturbed by video of humanoid intimacy robot that 'can't smile'
  • One ChatGPT prompt 'everyone should know' that will change how your AI talks to you
  • Baby conceived using AI sperm-injecting robot born in historic world-first