It may sound like a scenario from a Bond film, but an android designed in the image of its Russian creator is the most advanced robot yet on show at Gitex in Dubai.
The Robo-C machine is the Frankenstein of the future technology show and can respond only to simple commands. But it bears a striking resemblance to its manufacturer, Alex Yuzhakov, albeit with fewer grey hairs.
Called ‘Alex’, the humanoid has been created as a guest concierge service or as a security robot to allow access to restricted areas.
Its designers have even mooted the idea of bringing famous people to life in android form, inside a celebrity robot museum.
The idea may sound a little too much like the TV show Westworld. But while Alex’s face may twitch, his eyes roll and his lips move, he is not able to walk yet.
“Alex is a prototype of our CEO and his main feature is customer service,” said Jane Ezhova, international sales manager for Promobot, the largest service robotics manufacturer in Northern and Eastern Europe.
“He answers basic questions, can collect feedback and give people directions.
“Alex can be integrated with any third-party device in order to create some kind of access control system, for example.
'A next-gen Madame Tussauds'
-
Madame Tussauds Dubai is located on Bluewaters Island, close to Ain Dubai -
Victoria Beckham poses against a Dubai backdrop at Madame Tussauds Dubai. All photos: Janice Rodrigues / The National -
Former US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are also among the political personalities -
Visitors can weight lift alongside Amna Al Haddad at Madame Tussauds Dubai -
Take a selfie with social media star Bin Baz -
Jennifer Lawrence in character as Katniss Everdeen from 'The Hunger Games' -
Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto from the 'Fast & Furious' franchise -
Chinese President Xi Jinping is also immortalised at Madame Tussauds Dubai -
Beauty mogul Kylie Jenner dazzles in front of a sparkling background and pearl swing -
The incredibly life-like wax figure of Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab -
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli holds up a bat at Madame Tussauds Dubai -
Fans can strike a pose with legendary boxer Muhammad Ali -
Model and actress Cara Delevingne is seen in the Fashion section -
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt from the 'Mission Impossible' series -
A statue of Emirati singer Balqees Fathi dazzles in a sparkling gown -
Guests can pose on a drum set next to Lebanese pop star Nancy Ajram -
A wax figure of the beloved Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan -
Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan is a big favourite in the UAE
“It can be integrated with access control cards and also with a video surveillance system using face recognition technology.
“This can be used inside a smart building, and we can see it being used as the next generation of Madame Tussauds 2.0 type museum attraction to bring famous people to life, like Donald Trump or Madonna.
“It would give people the opportunity to interact with their favourite celebrity.”
Russian firm Promobot is working to develop mechatronics, electronics, artificial intelligence and neural networks.
It is also programming bots in autonomous navigation and speech recognition, and is developing artificial skin and muscles as well as human-machine interaction.
A camera in the heart of Alex’s chest is fitted with sensors to detect someone’s face and begin an interaction.
Tiny microphones surrounding the camera pick up commands and instructions.
Promobot is working on inserting cameras inside the robot’s eyes so it can make direct eye contact with the person it is interacting with.
Currently, the Robo-C is limited as it only works with a script, with several answers selected at random. But that is likely to become more advanced as the technology develops.
“We have a special department based in Vladivostok that designs the skin, eyes and features of the robot to give it a lifelike appearance,” said Ms Ezhova.
“There are several robots like Alex in Russia and we are working on a creation of a robot with hands and fingers that move and react to commands.
“For now he is seated, but we are working on making him walk.
“Our main strategy is to enable these robots to help people at home.
“Robots are already in a domestic environment to help with daily chores and this is the last mile of technology to make our lives easier.”
GITEX technology week - in pictures
-
The Mercedes Vision AVTR car. -
The Mercedes Vision AVTR car on display at Etisalat's stand on the second day of Gitex. -
Visitors at the Huawei stand on the second day of Gitex at Dubai's World Trade Centre. All photos: Leslie Pableo / The National -
A four-legged robot at a Dubai Government stand on the second day of Gitex. -
The Dell Technology stand at Gitex. -
A light and laser display on the second day of Gitex. -
Gitex was busy with visitors and delegates on the second day. -
Fujairah's stand at Gitex Technology, on day two. -
A man using an AR headset at the Du stand on the second day of Gitex. -
Visitors explore the tech stands in the Dubai World Trade Centre. -
A four-legged robot at the Terminus stand on the second day of Gitex. -
Mercedes' futuristic car on the Etisalat stand. -
Saudi Arabia's stand.
