I saw the worlds most advanced robot and its uncanny

Date:
Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:16:49 +0000

Description:
The advanced Ameca robot might not have emotions, but its facial impressions are next-level.

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Cast your mind back to 2023 and you may recall seeing Ameca, the so-called worlds most advanced robot, pop up on UK TVs This Morning and make headlines everywhere. Now Ameca is back, with a second-generation version being shown off at MWC 2024 , complete with even more realistic facial expressions.

I was first alerted to Amecas presence at the show when I saw a crowd of gawking MWC attendees transfixed by something. Naturally, I walked over to investigate and there I beheld Ameca in all its semi-skeletal glory,
answering questions barked at it by MWC-ers and leaving me with the uncanny feeling that Id walked onto the pre-production set of Ex Machina . (Image credit: Future)

The robot uses generative AI to react to questions in real time, ranging from basic ones such as how old are you? to sillier queries like can you dance? reader, Ameca can dance, and likely better than your average nightclub goer.

All great fun, but it was when Ameca was asked whether it had emotions that the demo became truly impressive. It responded with a whole batch of facial expressions, all of which looked very realistic, and it was then that I could genuinely see robots becoming part of our future.

Ameca stumbled over a few questions, not least because it was trying to keep up with a barrage of prompts and queries. But its understanding of natural language was pretty slick and the expressions it pulled in tandem with its answers were realistic enough that you wouldn't feel like you were merely to talking a clutter of cables, chips and servo motors. Equally, theres still some way to go before the uncanny valley feeling is overcome. (Image credit: Future)

Nevertheless, actually seeing Ameca work in the (robot) flesh is impressive, and not as creepy as one might think sure, you cant not think of the
middling I, Robot movie, but that feeling is soon put aside as one sees Ameca work. (Image credit: Future)

Amecas creator, the UK-based Engineering Arts, doesnt intend for robots to replace humans which is a relief, as theres already enough concern that generative AI could replace jobs. Rather, the company intends it to be used
to advance robotic science. That said, it does think Ameca will eventually find use in the real world as a form of robotic receptionist helper or social care assistant, alongside humans.

Such a future is probably still some way off, but Ameca will serve as a platform for AI tech, which could in turn make for smarter robots that could be genuinely useful for our society. That or well all have robot butlers before long. More from MWC 2024 Motorolas bendable concept phone is the biggest, silliest smartwatch Ive ever seen The Nothing Phone 2a was just
shown off in person. And we were there OnePlus Watch 2 unveiled, with
100-hour battery life and Wear OS 4



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/tech/i-saw-the-worlds-most-advanced-robot-and-its-un canny


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