A new humanoid robot that walks "naturally," makes eye contact, and displays subtle facial expressions has sparked widespread controversy on social media in China, after it was unveiled by Shanghai-based company DroidUp under the name "Moya".
The company describes Moya as the world's first robot that fully mimics human nature. What distinguishes Moya is that it operates with "embodied artificial intelligence," meaning it is capable of perceiving its surroundings and interacting with the physical world, rather than simply executing commands in a digital environment.
In the video published by the South China Morning Post, the robot is seen smiling, nodding its head, making eye contact, and walking in a manner very close to human gait.
Today in #Shanghai , a humanoid robot named #Moya makes her debut, smiling, nodding, making eye contact and walking naturally. Developed by Shanghai-based #DroidUp , Moya's modular design allows her appearance to be customized. pic.twitter.com/BwK2vm9oY8
The company asserts that "Moya" can mimic subtle facial expressions, making it one of the most human-like robots currently under development.
The company says its gait accuracy is up to 92%,
The robot is 1.65 meters tall, weighs approximately 32 kilograms, and has body proportions similar to an adult human. It is also designed to maintain a body temperature between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius, providing a more realistic experience during interaction its focus on natural, stable movement.
Moya's appearance and behavior had a mixed effect on viewers; some admired his realism, while others felt uneasy, particularly because of his movements. This feeling is known as "the strange valley," the tension we experience when something is close to us but not exactly the same.
According to reports, "Moya" is built on a chassis called "Walker 3," but the company has not officially released details about this chassis. The name could be confusing, as it is similar to the "Walker" robots produced by Ubitek, but there is no information about any collaboration or connection between them.
Specialized reports have stated that "Moya" has a modular design, meaning that its exterior appearance can be changed and customized without affecting the internal structure.
The robot is 1.65 meters tall, weighs approximately 32 kilograms, and has body proportions similar to an adult human. It is also designed to maintain a body temperature between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius, providing a more realistic experience during interaction
The company says that "Moya" is not just a home robot, but could also be suitable for use in healthcare, education, and commercial facilities that require prolonged interaction with humans. This approach differs from other companies that focus on a cartoonish or clearly mechanical design.
The “Moya” robot is expected to hit the market in late 2026, with an initial price of around 1.2 million Chinese yuan, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. However, final pricing and availability details have not yet been officially announced
