Feeling lonely? I, a robot, could be your friend

Human-like, canine-inspired and surgical robots are just some of the AI and other tech developments on display at the annual World Robot Conference in Beijing.

The World Robot Conference allows Chinese tech companies to showcase a wide variety of robotic products including those built for companionship, manufacturing and surgery. Source: AAP / Mark R. Cristino/EPA

Key Points

• The products have human-like skin, facial expressions and joints which allow flexible movements.
• They are on display at the World Robot Conference in Beijing.
• Some of the canine-inspired robots can interact with humans and obey orders to walk or dance.

Machines showing they can pull just as many facial expressions as humans - blinking, winking and head nodding.

They replicate the gestures made by visitors to the E-X Robots booth at the annual World Robot Conference in China's capital, Beijing.

The World Robot Conference is a chance for Chinese tech companies to showcase their robotic products made for a variety of purposes, including companionship, manufacturing and surgery.

The products showcased also have human-like skin and joints which allow flexible movements.

Tech companies behind these robots say they are suitable for communication with people. Source: AAP / Costfoto/Sipa USA

Their facial expressions are based on biological information collected from human faces, and their movements are a reflection of human actions captured and analysed by artificial intelligence and algorithms.

“Over the years we’ve been polishing the technology and it’s more and more mature. This time we are also showcasing the simultaneous expression of multiple robots," Li Boyang, Chief Executive of E-X Robots, said.

"When we see one person doing a facial expression, all robots will do the same. This can help us build robotic substitutes for humans. Robots can provide service for us remotely while reflecting real facial expressions and voices of humans."

Li says they have a variety of uses in roles where they interact with the public.

“These robots are robotic products that are suitable for communication with people as well as public service.

"Therefore, currently the robots are used in science museums, tourist attractions, public administration service centres, hotel lobbies, education scenarios and companion scenarios.”

Canine-shaped robots with special features

Man's best friend is also inspiring robot manufacturers as canine-shaped robots climb stairs and shake paws to demonstrate their skills.

Unitree Robotics, a Hangzhou-based tech company, is showcasing quadruped robots used for family companions, industrial patrols and fire rescue. Its companion robot, Go 2, is able to interact with humans and obey orders to walk or dance.

Engineers say canine-inspired robots are smarter and easier to train than real dogs. Source: SIPA USA / ChinaImages

“The most prominent feature of this robot is the installation of 4D Lidar. With the Lidar at the front, it can sense its surrounding landscape in real-time and avoid obstacles on its own," Wang Qixin, Director of Marketing at Unitree Robotics, said.

"At the same time, it has a strong ability of conversational AI. We know that big model is really popular now. Through strong conversational AI, it can communicate with its owners. For example, you can tell it to step forward or step back, or dance. It will hear you clearly," Wang added.

At the price of around $2,774 (12,913 Yuan) - what you get is a robotic pet that can also run an errand such as picking up delivery food and packages.

Wang says the robots have fluid motion and balance from years of development, allowing them to navigate tricky terrain where humans may stumble.

“This motion control program is an excellent one after years of development. And it allows our robots to keep a good balance in any complex environment such as stairs and gravel roads, and replace humans to finish some tasks.”

With the ability to learn skills such as turning on the air conditioning, Cyber Dog 2 is smarter and easier to train than a real dog, according to Engineer Shao Yuanxin.

The products showcased also have joints that allow flexible movements. Source: AAP / Mark R. Cristino/EPA

“It’s not naughty like real dogs. The cost is low to train them. Basically, with the big conversational AI model, it will be very obedient after several simple training sessions. And it’s more intelligent because it can control smart electronic appliances in the home," Shao said.

"For example, you want to turn on the air conditioning – you can’t ask a dog to do that, but you can ask it to turn on the air conditioning. This is an example of a simple scenario. It’s smarter, more obedient and merges better with smart devices around us.”

Robots designed for healthcare

Also on display is a range of surgical robots, including the da Vinci surgical robot, used in thoracic and abdominal surgeries.

Li Haoyuan works in the marketing department at the robot developer, Intuitive Fosun.

“Robots are better at fine-tuning, minimally invasive and more accurate, and they cause less damage to patients," Li said.

"Through some operations of the robotic arms, we can avoid the unnecessary shaking of doctors’ hands, bring a wider and clearer field of vision for surgeries, which can actually reduce wounds to patients and allow for faster recovery."

The World Robot Conference runs until 21 August in Beijing.