In an exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Andrew Kiguel, CEO and Executive Chairman of Realbotix Corp., shares insights into the company’s pioneering work in human-like AI-powered robots. With a focus on social interaction, Realbotix is revolutionizing industries by creating lifelike robots designed for learning, companionship, and engagement. Andrew discusses the role of AI in enhancing user experiences, the ethical considerations of humanoid robotics, and the future of AI-driven interactions in retail, education, and healthcare. As businesses explore AI’s potential beyond automation, Realbotix is leading the way in fostering meaningful human-robot connections.
Andrew Kiguel is an accomplished executive and entrepreneur. In the last 6 years, Andrew has co-founded and provided leadership to several web3 companies including Hut 8 Mining, Tokens.com, Metaverse Group, and Hulk Labs. Prior to 2018, Andrew spent over 20 years as an investment banker raising over $5 billion for clients throughout his career. He currently acts as the CEO and Executive Chairman of Realbotix Corp.
How does Realbotix approach the customization of its human-like robots, and what role does AI integration play in enhancing the user experience?
At Realbotix, we strive to build the most human looking AI powered robots available globally. Other robot manufacturers put mechanics ahead of form, we focus more on appearance and facial expressions than our peers. AI is integral to this, our robots can use third party Ai or our own social interaction based AI. At Realbotix, our primary goal is to develop and manufacture AI-powered robots that exhibit the most realistic human-like appearance and behavior on a global scale. We distinguish ourselves from other robot manufacturers by prioritizing form and aesthetics over mechanics. While our competitors may focus heavily on the technical and mechanical aspects of robotics, we place a greater emphasis on creating robots with lifelike appearances and expressive facial features. Artificial Intelligence plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. Our robots are designed to be compatible with both third-party AI systems and our own proprietary AI system, which is specifically tailored for social interaction and enhancing the robot’s ability to engage in natural and meaningful communication with humans.
Can you elaborate on how Realbotix’s robots contribute to learning, connection, and play and what specific benefits you have observed in users?
Our robots are meant to mimic social interactions that humans would have with each other. As such, they can be used as teaching tools, therapists or friends. Our robots are designed to replicate the nuances of human social interaction, enabling them to fulfill a variety of roles. For instance, they can be utilized in educational settings as interactive teaching tools, providing personalized support and feedback to students. Additionally, they can serve as therapeutic companions, offering emotional support and guidance to individuals struggling with mental health issues. Moreover, they can function as virtual friends, engaging in conversations and activities to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
What are the most significant technological challenges Realbotix faces in creating realistic humanoid robots, and how does your team overcome them?
Recreating human behaviour in a robot is challenging. Our technology is focused on advancing our ability to do that. We also have a challenge in deciding how to dress our humanoids. Recreating human behavior in a robot presents a multitude of challenges. It requires complex programming and advanced artificial intelligence to mimic human actions, reactions, and decision-making processes. Our technology is dedicated to overcoming these obstacles and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in humanoid robotics.
Furthermore, the seemingly simple task of deciding how to dress our humanoids raises unexpected complexities. Clothing choices can impact human-robot interactions and shape public perception. We must consider factors such as cultural sensitivity, social norms, and the specific context in which the humanoid will be operating.
As a company working at the forefront of human-like AI, how does Realbotix address ethical concerns and ensure responsible development and use of your technology?
We have rigorous testing of our AI. However, like other technologies, much of how it’s used is in the hands of the user. Our robots don’t have the capabilities to do physical harm to anyone and we try to safeguard anyone from using our AI for nefarious purposes. At CanadianSME, we prioritize the safety and ethical use of our AI technology. We have implemented rigorous testing protocols to ensure our AI systems operate as intended. However, it’s important to acknowledge that, like any technology, much of how AI is used depends on the user. We have taken extensive measures to design our robots without the capability to inflict physical harm. Furthermore, we have instituted stringent safeguards to prevent the misuse of our AI for harmful or malicious activities. We remain committed to ongoing research and development to enhance the safety and ethical implications of our AI technology.
Looking ahead, what advancements or innovations in human-robot interaction do you envision for Realbotix, and how might these impact small and medium-sized businesses in various industries?
Our robots aren’t meant to replace physical human labour. They are meant for use in social environments and for personal interactions. Think of greeters at a retail store or restaurant. A companion at a retirement home. Or a teaching assistant at a school. As a result, our focus moving forward will be in making our robots more useful in those sectors and use cases. Our robots are not designed to replace jobs that require physical human labor. Instead, they are intended for use in social settings and for personal interactions. Our robots could be utilized in various roles such as greeters in retail stores or restaurants, companions in retirement homes, or teaching assistants in schools. Given this, our future focus will be on enhancing our robots’ capabilities to be more effective and valuable in these sectors and use cases.
