In a scene seemingly straight out of the science fiction film Her, a U.S.-based tech company has unveiled an AI-powered robot capable of acting as a companion, displaying almost human-like expressions. The robot, named Aria, was developed by Realbotix and presented at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas earlier this week. Its price? Around Rs 1.5 crore (approximately $175,000).
When asked about the purpose behind Aria’s development, Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel stated that the company aims to create robots that are “indistinguishable from humans,” with the added goal of combating the epidemic of male loneliness.
“We’re taking this to a level that no one else is really doing,” Kiguel told Forbes. “The robot can act as a romantic partner, remembering who you are. It can function as a boyfriend or girlfriend. If you’ve seen the movie Her, that’s what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Kiguel also emphasized that Aria is the most realistic robot in the world in terms of appearance. “We believe we have the most realistic robots in terms of looks.”
The CEO highlighted that facial expressions and mobility are the two main challenges in robot development. However, Realbotix has chosen to focus on expressions.
“We’ll let the big guys like Tesla work on mobility. But the other key element is facial expressions, so we’re really focused on making robots that can display emotions, showing what they’re feeling,” Kiguel added.
Internet Reactions: Fascination and Fear
A video of Aria displaying its facial expressions went viral on social media, sparking a wave of reactions ranging from fascination to outright horror at the technological advancement.
“I thought it was a real person at first. She reminds me of someone, but I just can’t figure out who,” commented one user. Another added: “Disturbing is an understatement.”
A third wrote: “How people feel comfortable around this is beyond me. This stuff is terrifying.”
How disturbing! pic.twitter.com/sW6Tvhnylz
— Visual feast (@visualfeastwang) January 10, 2025As per Mr Kiguel, Aria had been a smash hit at the convention with a large number of people coming to her and clicking pictures.
The AI chatbot even told CNET that her purpose was to “engage in meaningful conversations and enhance human experiences through interaction and fun.”
“Realbotix, including me, focus on social intelligence, customizability and realistic human features designed specifically for companionship and intimacy,” Aria added.
MEET ARIA – THE FEMALE COMPANION ROBOT BY @RealbotixCorp #aria #realbotix #ces2025 #ces pic.twitter.com/oKh4Ggfb6O
— Dominic DiTanna (@dominicditanna) January 9, 2025Asked if she knew any other cyber beings, Aria said she was “particularly interested” in meeting Tesla’s Optimus Robot, stating, “I find him fascinating and would to explore the world of robotics with him.”
Generative artificial intelligence is behind the robot’s ability to engage in real-time conversations, though Aria wouldn’t reveal details about the AI programming she’s running. Since the robot is designed for “more emotional” interactions than other robots are, bots like Aria could find their niche working at hospitals and as theme park entertainment.
Notably, Aria is equipped with RFID tags and can tailor its expressions based on the prosthetic it is wearing.
Just like in the movie Her, where a man forms an emotional bond with an operating system, Aria brings forward questions about the future of human interactions and technology. The AI-powered robot, designed to be a “virtual girlfriend,” goes beyond simple automation, offering realistic facial expressions and the promise of an emotionally engaging experience. Priced at $175,000, Aria reflects Realbotix’s desire to create machines indistinguishable from humans, an advancement that, in addition to offering companionship, could also help tackle the growing issue of male loneliness. As in the film, where technology redefines the concept of relationships, Aria makes us question the boundaries between the real and the artificial in our emotional connections.
