A Shanghai-based technology start-up has introduced a humanoid companion robot that is already igniting global debate about the future of human relationships and artificial intelligence.
The company, DroidUp, unveiled its latest creation, Moya, describing it not as a household assistant but as a companion designed to simulate emotional presence. Unlike robots built to handle chores such as cleaning or delivery, Moya has been engineered to feel physically warm and socially responsive.
According to its developers, Moya maintains a body temperature ranging between 32 to 36 degrees Celcius, roughly mirroring human warmth. The robot features layered internal padding covered with silicone skin to replicate lifelike touch. It is also equipped with more than 25 facial motors, allowing it to display nuanced expressions. Cameras and tracking systems enable it to recognise faces, maintain eye contact and respond dynamically to human interaction.
Built for Connection, Not Cleaning
Founder Li Qingdu said the company’s mission goes beyond mechanical function. He described Moya as an attempt to introduce emotional realism into robotics, suggesting that the technology could help address loneliness and social isolation.
Rather than positioning the humanoid as a novelty consumer gadget, DroidUp plans to introduce it into sectors such as healthcare, elder care and education by 2026. In medical and caregiving environments, developers believe emotionally responsive robots could offer comfort, social engagement and cognitive stimulation, particularly for ageing populations.
The unveiling in Shanghai highlights China’s accelerating investment in artificial intelligence, robotics engineering and human-machine interaction technologies. The country has been rapidly expanding its footprint in advanced automation, and humanoid robotics is emerging as a frontier with significant commercial potential.
Online Reactions: Fascination Meets Discomfort
Public response online has been sharply divided. Some observers praised the technological sophistication, viewing Moya as a step forward in AI-powered companionship and digital health innovation. Others described the robot as unsettling, invoking the so-called “uncanny valley” effect — where lifelike machines appear almost human but not quite, triggering discomfort.
Commenters have also raised broader questions about the social implications of emotionally responsive robots. Could such technology reshape human relationships? Might it reduce loneliness, or further isolate individuals from real-world interaction?
For now, Moya remains a prototype with ambitious plans for expansion into clinical and educational settings. Yet the unveiling signals something significant: the boundary between human warmth and artificial design is narrowing.
Whether society embraces or resists such innovations, one thing is certain — humanoid robotics is no longer confined to science fiction.