Meet Moya, the AI that winks, smiles and walks with 92% human-like gait — is this the uncanny valley?

(Image credit: DroidUp)

A new robot from China is blowing up on Chinese social media after videos of the droid, named Maya, showed off its human-like capabilities. Moya was developed by the robotics company, DroidUp, which describes the bot as the world's first fully biomemetic embodied intelligent robot.

According to DroidUp, the robot is built around "embodied intelligence," meaning that it can perceive, reason and act in the physical world.

World’s first ‘biomimetic AI robot’ debuts in Shanghai - YouTube

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DroidUp specifically noted that Moya is designed to look more human, "completely breaking away from the traditional 'steel image' of humanoid robots." The female version shown in the images is meant to convey "elegant friendliness," while a hinted-at male version features "composed strength."

Many robot designs, even humanoid ones like Tesla's Optimus autonomous bots, feature more cartoonish or industrial looks but are also meant for more factory or labor work.

Moya measures around 5.5 feet tall and weighs 70 pounds. Apparently maintains an internal temperature between 89.6 and 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit, all meant to enhance its human-esque qualities.

As seen by SCMP, Chinese netizens had a mixed reaction, with one person saying, "If she takes two steps near my bed at night, I'm throwing her off the balcony." Moya clearly lives in the uncanny valley, where artificial things appear almost, but not quite, human.

DroidUp is pitching Moya as a potential partner in settings like healthcare, education and other environments where humans and robots might interact.

Pricing and availability details were not provided.

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Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

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