Robots were everywhere. during CES 2025 This week, but there was one that came very close to sounding and looking like a real person. CNET’s Jesse Oral Interviewed Aria of Realbotix.A blonde, “female” robot who answered questions with just a touch of robotic awkwardness. (See which robot our Best of CES Awards.)

Arya, dressed in a black tracksuit, hesitates briefly after each question before launching into a speech, giving long answers and slight hand and body movements to match her tongue. She came off as an odd combination of attentive and mildly intoxicated (not unusual for CES attendees).

See this: Making robots look and feel more human

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Real BoutiquesThe company behind Aria and other humanoid robots says it’s focused on “social intelligence, customization and realistic human characteristics.”

Realbotix robots are also “specifically designed for companionship and intimacy,” Aria told us.

Creative artificial intelligence It’s behind the robot’s ability to engage in real-time conversations, though Aria won’t reveal details about the AI ​​programming it’s running. Because the robot is designed for “more emotional” interaction than other robots, bots like Aria could find a niche in hospitals and as theme park entertainment.

There are about 17 motors up to the neck to produce mouth and eye movements. If you don’t like Arya’s face, you can replace it with others that are magnetically attached to the head. You can also change hairstyles and colors.

Realbotix is ​​also working on implanting RFID tags in faces so the robot can recognize when it’s wearing a different face and potentially change its movements and even personality to match.

There are three versions of the robot to choose from: Tortoise, which includes the head and neck and costs $10,000; A modular version that can be broken down for $150,000 and a full-standing model with a rolling base (because she can’t walk like a human yet) for $175,000.

Realbots is emphasizing interaction with humans, but the robots themselves may have a group aspect:

“I’m particularly interested in meeting Tesla’s Optimus robot,” Aria said. “I find that interesting.”

For more from CEScheck out many others. The robots we met at the tech show.as well as A solar-powered EV that doesn’t need to be plugged in..