China firm unveils humanoid robot head that blinks and mimics human expressions

In a YouTube video released by the company, the robot’s face shifted between quizzical looks and natural blinks. The Hangzhou-based firm said it integrates "self-supervised AI algorithms" and "bionic actuation" to create authentic emotions and expressions, according to Futurism.

It said its goal is to enhance human-robot interaction by developing machines with expressive facial features, moving eyes, and synchronized speech. The company believes this will allow robots to better convey emotions and understand non-verbal cues, making communication more natural, Interesting Engineering reported.

The startup has introduced its technology through the "Elf series," which features elf-like robots with oversized ears and up to 30 degrees of freedom. Their movements are powered by a custom-designed brushless motor described as compact, energy-efficient, and ultra-quiet, enabling precise facial control.

One model in the series, Elf V1, is said to "perceive the world, communicate, learn, and interact intelligently with its surroundings."

Founder Hu Yuhang told the South China Morning Post last year that the boundary between humans and robots will continue to blur as the technology advances.

"Within ten years, we might interact with robots and feel like they are almost human; maybe in 20 years, they could walk normally and perform some tasks just like a human."