Robot Clones Coming Soon!

Just in time for the holidays: A Russian startup is preparing to mass produce autonomous robot clones inspired by real people.

Russia-based Promobot is the maker of the “Robo-C,” an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven humanoid robot that can mimic the appearance, facial expressions and gestures of an actual person. With realistic artificial skin and moving eyes, lips and eyebrows, the clones can mimic up to roughly 600 different facial expressions. Likewise, the clone robots can engage in conversation and answer questions in much the same fashion as the original person who inspired the humanoid's design.

Although not yet capable of mobility, the robot clones can move their necks and their torsos. They can also operate in both professional and personal settings. Its developers envision that the humanoids, once perfected, will take over human tasks in the workplace in industries such as education, customer service and entertainment to name just a few. Additionally, the humanoids may fill a void in the lives of those in search of a companion or a caregiver.

Currently, there are four Robo-Cs already in development — one designed to work within the government, scanning passports, another operating as an Albert Einstein clone for a robotics exhibition and the third and fourth as clones of a customer’s parents.

While the price tag attached to such a robot is likely considerable, I expect my loved ones to ensure that a 1980’s inspired Bono robot clone is parked under my tree come Christmas morning. I fully expect him to be capable of both cleaning (because, well why else would you invite a robot into your home?) and singing.

On second thought, this is bound to be awkward when I inevitably meet the real Bono and have explain to him why I have a robot version of him cleaning my house.

Perhaps my loved ones should just stick with placing my annual Target gift card under the tree.

Source: Promobot