Ameca: The Future of Humanoid Robots

Imagine checking into your hotel or scanning your boarding pass at the airport — and the friendly face before you is not a human being but a robot. It might blink, nod, or even crack a joke, causing you to do a double-take and wonder if you are dreaming. No longer just the stuff of science fiction blockbusters, that is what roboticists call a humanoid robot: designed to resemble humans and operate seamlessly in human spaces. This technology is real, and Ameca is living proof.

Ameca is considered the world’s most advanced ‘humanoid robot’, designed by British robotics company Engineered Arts. With advanced facial recognition software, embedded microphones, and articulated motorised components, Ameca responds to human interaction with striking precision. From winks to shrugs to laughter, it can mimic human emotion and facial expressions through its sophisticated built-in camera features. If you ask it what the weather is like or how its day is going, it can respond and ask back. If you ask where the bathroom is or where the next meeting session will be held, it can direct you to the right room. The opportunities for innovation in this field are truly endless.

To top it off, Ameca now lives at The National Robotarium, the UK’s leading centre for artificial intelligence and robotics development, located just a short trip away in Edinburgh. The National Robotarium aims to utilise AI and robotics to address global challenges through strategically engaging policymakers and exploring the economic benefits of sustained investment in robotic technology. Critically, the Robotarium aspires to nurture future generations of young roboticists through structured engineering teaching programmes for students across Scotland. Ameca aligns perfectly with this mission, as the Robotarium partners with schools nationwide to introduce Ameca and engages thousands of children through a variety of in-person and virtual events. Through public outreach and education programmes, children of all ages can interact with a state-of-the-art robot in a familiar setting and learn about the future of robotics engineering.

“The arrival of Ameca at the National Robotarium marks a significant step forward in our mission to make robotics more accessible and relatable to the people of Scotland, the UK, and beyond.” This statement by Steve Maclaren, Chief Operating Officer at the National Robotarium, reflects its forward-thinking vision surrounding robotics and public engagement. Through showcasing Ameca’s abilities, the Robotarium seeks to build trust between humans and robots and shift perception towards integrating robots into our everyday lives. Similarly, by recording human interactions, roboticists gain insights into attitudes towards humanoid robots, so that they can guide more accessible, user-friendly future technological designs. With over £1.4 million in contributions from the Scottish government, the Robotarium is driving progressive robotic technology and aims to make Edinburgh its centre of action. Ameca’s range of interactions is not just limited to schools. Engineering UK are trialling it at science festivals across the country, like the Cornwall Festival of Tech in February. Festivalgoers’ reactions ranged from awe at its strikingly similar human expressions to unease and potential fear of its life-like characteristics. 

According to Engineering UK, Ameca’s mission is to show the potential of humanoid robots in benefitting society as a whole. This technology marks a milestone in human-machine interaction. It demonstrates the leaps made by our scientific and engineering community in creating a high-functioning, human-like robot that could one day live and work cohesively among us. It is fascinating to imagine how humanoid robots can transform our classrooms, offices, or campuses. And who knows — maybe the next newcomer in St Andrews might be made of metal, not muscle.

Illustration by Ana Brockmann Aldasoro