Meet Moya: World's first life-like humanoid robot from China that walks, winks and smiles like a human

AI Robot Moya (Image: X)

Moya, a humanoid robot unveiled in Shanghai by DroidUp, mimics human appearance and behaviour with remarkable realism. Standing 1.65 metres tall, weighing 32 kg, and capable of micro-expressions, Moya walks and interacts with near-human posture. Designed for elder care, education, and commercial spaces, it focuses on social engagement rather than labour. Its debut sparks discussions on human-robot relationships, ethical integration, and the potential for lifelike machines to provide companionship, signalling a new chapter in robotics and artificial intelligence.

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A new human-like robot has made its debut in China, capturing public attention with remarkable realism and human-like behaviour. Named Moya, the humanoid robot was unveiled by DroidUp in Shanghai and is being called the world’s first fully biomimetic embodied intelligent robot. Videos shared by the South China Morning Post show Moya smiling, walking, nodding, and holding eye contact with a posture nearly identical to humans. The debut has sparked widespread discussion on social media about the future of robots in everyday life.

Moya’s Human-Like Design

Standing 1.65 metres tall and weighing 32 kilograms, Moya has near-adult human proportions. Built on the upgraded Walker 3 chassis, the robot features lightweight lattice “muscles” and modular customisation options for its appearance. It can maintain body heat between 32 and 36°C and replicate subtle facial micro-expressions, making interactions feel lifelike. Moya also walks with 92% human-like posture accuracy, reflecting DroidUp’s focus on fluid social movements rather than raw industrial speed. Experts say these design features place Moya ahead of many humanoid robots that still appear clunky or mechanical.

The new humanoid robot Moya from the Chinese company Droidup Robotics, which has a silicone skin, an internal skeleton, and a tendon system.

Li Qindu, the founder of Droidup Robotics, notes that the goal is to create soft and warm humanoid robots, rather than the cold ones like… pic.twitter.com/ZENoml03Py — Still Learning (@Still_learner) February 2, 2026

Applications and Market Potential

DroidUp positions Moya for use in healthcare, elder care, education, and commercial spaces where personal interaction is key. Unlike other robots built for heavy labour, Moya is designed for long conversations and social engagement. By focusing on friendly behaviour, the company hopes to address emotional and companionship needs in environments such as care homes. A market launch is expected in late 2026, with a starting price of approximately ¥1.2 million, according to South China Morning Post footage.

Implications for the Future

As humanoid robots become more lifelike, Moya challenges the “uncanny valley” and raises questions about human-robot relationships. Experts note that such realistic designs could transform service industries and healthcare while also prompting debates on ethical interaction and social integration. Moya’s debut highlights China’s growing role in advanced robotics and the potential for robots to occupy spaces traditionally dominated by humans, not merely performing tasks but also offering companionship.