---
title: "New Video Shows Robot With Terrifyingly Realistic Facial Expressions"
description: "UK-based robotics company Engineered Arts has shown off an impressive new humanoid robot that can put on some eerily realistic facial expressions."
date: "2021-12-02"
modified: "2021-12-02"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/video-robot-terrifyingly-realistic-facial-expressions"
categories:
  - "Robotics"
  - "Robots and Machines"
tags:
  - "artificial humans"
  - "robots"
  - "the digest"
---

# New Video Shows Robot With Terrifyingly Realistic Facial Expressions

![UK-based robotics company Engineered Arts has shown off an impressive new humanoid robot that can put on some eerily realistic facial expressions.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/new-video-shows-robot-with-terrifyingly-realistic-facial-expressions.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Engineered Arts\</em\>*

## The Awakening

A UK-based robotics company called Engineered Arts has shown off an impressive new humanoid robot that can put on some eerily realistic facial expressions.

A [teaser video](<https://youtu.be/IPukuYb9xWw>) shows the grey-faced robot wake up, distort its face into a grimace of shock, and then examines its hands in disbelief.

The robot ends its charade with a knowing "I got you" grin — as if it was trying to fool us into thinking it was actually gaining self-awareness.

It's a clever illusion — the sequence was more than likely sequenced ahead of time — but a seemingly stunning example of how far robotics have come nonetheless.

https://youtu.be/IPukuYb9xWw

## Human-Robot Interaction

Engineered Arts sees the platform, called Ameca, as a "platform for development into future robotics technologies," according to [its website](<https://www.engineeredarts.co.uk/robot/ameca/>).

The robot is meant to allow us to study human-robot interaction — and believable facial cues make that a whole lot easier.

The company is making the robot available for purchase and event rental, but has yet to advertise a price.

And a key caveat: while Ameca is impressive at conveying emotions via facial expressions, it's unable to walk yet.

"However, Ameca is a modular robot, we plan on upgrading \[its\] abilities over time so one day Ameca will walk," the company's website reads.

**More on robots:** *[People Furious at Robot Serving Pancakes at Denny's](<https://futurism.com/robot-server-dennys>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)