A humanoid robot capable of smiling, maintaining eye contact, and walking with near-human realism has drawn global attention after debuting in Shanghai. Named Moya, the robot was unveiled by Chinese robotics company DroidUp, which describes it as the world’s first fully biomimetic embodied AI robot.
Unlike industrial robots built for factories, Moya is designed for human interaction. It is based on the concept of embodied artificial intelligence, meaning it can perceive, reason, and act directly within the physical world. According to the company, Moya achieves 92% accuracy in human-like walking posture, making its movement appear natural rather than mechanical.
Standing about 1.65 meters tall and weighing 32 kilograms, Moya has proportions close to an adult human. To enhance realism, it reportedly maintains a body temperature between 32 and 36°C and can replicate subtle facial micro-expressions. These features have fascinated some viewers while unsettling others, triggering reactions linked to the well-known “uncanny valley” effect.
DroidUp envisions Moya being used in healthcare, education, and service environments, where prolonged human-robot interaction is essential. The robot is expected to enter the market by late 2026, with an estimated starting price of around 1.2 million yuan.