Neck-length silicone masks lie sprawled on a table alongside
silicone arms and feet, while disembodied heads sit on display and humanoid
robots in various stages of construction stand nearby. Drawings of robot
designs adorn a wall.
"We have our own software and algorithm teams,"
said Ex-Robots Chief Executive Li Boyang, adding that humanoid robots are the
most complex class of robotic products.
"There are many basic models and algorithms that are
commonly open source, which everyone uses. However, we concentrate more on how
to enable the AI to recognise and express expressions and emotions."
As an Ex-Robots worker moves her head, smiles and sticks out
her tongue, a humanoid robot mimics her movement thanks to tiny motors
installed in several spaces in its head.
"We are also working on the foundation model. The model
we're making is multi-modal and capable of emotional expression. It can
perceive the surrounding environment and produce appropriate facial
feedback," Li said.
Ex-Robots said it takes from two weeks to a month to produce
a humanoid robot, with prices ranging from 1.5 million yuan ($207,000) to 2
million yuan.
The main purpose of the company's robots so far is for
display in museums, one of which Ex-Robots has housed in the same building as
its factory.
Looking ahead, Li believes humanoid robots will have a
bigger role to play in the healthcare and education industries.
"Psychological counselling and health are certainly
future application scenarios. We are currently conducting related research,
such as auxiliary treatment and preliminary screening for emotional and
psychological disorders," he said.
"Moreover, I believe that emotional interaction has
broader applications in service fields, such as those aimed at children."