Flawless skin, eyes that follow you and a face that expresses emotions – you might think this is another person.
But, it is really a humanoid that was designed as an “artificial human being”.
Over the years, many of these robots have been developed, marking milestones in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Their human-like skin is made from either silicone or frubber, an elastic form of rubber.
Some have advanced software that allows them to hold conversations, giving them wit and a sense of humour.
Unlike industrial robots, these humanoids were not designed to replace human jobs, but to be a form of entertainment or assist humans.
Word of them has gone viral on social media in the past few years, with videos of humanoid moving their heads and making facial expressions similar to those made by people – smiling, yawning, fear, anger and disgust.
The National takes a look at seven robots that are human-like, from a UN ambassador to a college graduate.
Nikola by Riken Japan
Nikola, an android child, has skin made of silicone and its face can express six basic emotions – happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise and disgust.
Developed by Japanese company Riken Guardian Robot Project, the android’s face uses 29 inflatable actuators – motion-producing devices – that control the movement of its artificial muscles.
Six more actuators control head and eyeball movement.
Nikola does not have a body, but the long-term goal of the company is to build an android that can assist people.
“Androids that can emotionally communicate with us will be useful in a wide range of real-life situations, such as caring for older people, and can promote human well-being,” said Wataru Sato from the Riken project.
Ameca by Engineered Arts
This robot’s movements and facial expressions are so human-like it spooked billionaire Elon Musk, who replied with "yikes" to a Twitter post that introduced Ameca in 2021.
Shaped like a human, Ameca is designed to be genderless. It has 17 motors that control its movements and expressions.
Built by British company Engineered Arts, the humanoid cannot walk or produce speech yet.
It has cameras installed in its eyes that allow a person to speak remotely to the people controlling with it.
Adran by Engineered Arts
Footage of Adran moving its head and making facial expressions went viral in December.
The robot is a Mesmer, a system that helps build realistic humanoids that are cost-effective.
They can also display human emotions and can be designed to look like anyone.
“Expressive like nothing else, Mesmer can display a huge range of human emotion,” Engineered Arts said on its website.
“Each Mesmer robot is designed and built from 3D in-house scans of real people, allowing us to imitate human bone structure, skin texture and expressions convincingly.”
Sophia by Hanson Robotics
Sophia is perhaps the most well-known robot to be introduced.
Since her debut in 2016, the humanoid has travelled around the world, entertaining people with her witty comments, facial expressions and movement.
Sophia became so popular, Saudi Arabia made her a citizen and she became a UN ambassador.
What sets Sophia apart from other robots is advanced artificial intelligence that allows her to hold a real conversation with humans.
It also has machine learning capacity, which means it stores data and improves with time.
The machine can recognise human faces, see emotional expressions and recognise hand gestures.
It can also guess a person’s feelings during a conversation and answer questions to the best of its ability, portraying emotional intelligence in a way.
In 2018, Sophia walked for the first time.
Han by Hanson Robotics
Han is another robot by Hong-Kong-based Hanson Robotics that is super expressive.
Unveiled to the public in 2015, it can also read emotions like Sophia.
Although it does not have a body, frubber skin and facial features could persuade anyone that it was a real human head.
It has also attended many conferences around the world with Sophia to speak about the rise of robots.
Philip K Dick robot by Hanson robotics
Before Han and Sophia, there was Philip K Dick.
It is a humanoid lookalike of the science fiction author, who died in 1982.
The original version of the robot was lost on a flight in 2005. Another was built in 2011, which has 36 motors to provide facial expressions.
It can interact with people using its knowledge of Dick's novels.
Bina48 by Hanson robotics
This humanoid is the first robot to enrol in and successfully complete a college level class.
In 2017, Bina48 completed a philosophy course at California’s Notre Dame de Namur University.
Built in 2010, it structure includes a bust-like head and shoulders mounted on a frame.
It was modelled after lawyer and entrepreneur Martine Rothblatt’s wife, so the robot has her memories, feelings and beliefs installed, according to Hanson Robotics.
It can engage in conversations with other humans, and offers an emotional account of "her" brother’s personality changes after returning home from the Vietnam War.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
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Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Holiday destination: Sri Lanka
First car: VW Golf
Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters
Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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