"254 Million Won... Skin as Warm as a Human" Chinese Hyper-Realistic Robot Sparks Controversy

According to Financial News, a hyper-realistic humanoid service robot that mimics not only a person's outward appearance but also their body temperature has attracted public attention.
On the 12th local time, foreign media including the New York Post reported that Shanghai-based startup DroidUP unveiled "Moya," described as the world's first highly bionic robot, at Shanghai Zhangjiang Robot Valley.
Moya's key differentiator is its "warm skin," which breaks away from the cold metallic texture typical of conventional robots and closely resembles that of a human. The robot is designed to maintain a body temperature between 90 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit (about 32.2 to 36.1 degrees Celsius), so that physical contact conveys warmth similar to a living being.
Its visual system is also highly sophisticated. A camera installed behind the eyeballs recognizes people and makes eye contact, and the robot can display a wide range of facial expressions, including joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. Reporters on site remarked that "the moment the robot makes eye contact, you almost feel a sense of human connection," expressing their astonishment.
The developers have also pushed the technical capabilities. Built on the Walker 3 platform, Moya achieves walking accuracy at about 92% of human gait. It uses Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors to explore routes in real time and avoid obstacles. The company expects Moya to serve as a guide in places such as train stations, banks, and exhibition halls, as well as act as a companion in everyday life.
However, experts are increasingly voicing concerns about these technological advances. Technology journalist Kurt Knutsson noted, "Warmth is one of the clear criteria that distinguish machines from humans," and warned, "If that boundary collapses, it could spread feelings of discomfort and fear."
He went on to say, "Warm skin or facial expressions are not essential for providing guidance services," adding, "Attempts to blend into human society could lead to serious problems such as surveillance, emotional manipulation, and unauthorized data collection."
Online commenters are sharply divided. Some view the technological progress positively, but many others expressed concern, saying, "Humanity is bringing about its own destruction," and "Science fiction movies are warnings, not instruction manuals."
Moya is scheduled for release in 2026, with an expected price of around 176,000 dollars, or about 254 million won.


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter