Shanghai unveils lifelike humanoid robot Moya, drawing global attention to realism and the uncanny valley
A humanoid robot capable of walking naturally, maintaining eye contact and displaying subtle facial expressions has captured widespread attention on Chinese social media, reigniting debate over how humanlike robots should become.
- Shanghai-based company DroidUp unveiled “Moya,” which it claims is the world’s first fully biomimetic embodied intelligent robot.
- Videos showing the robot smiling, nodding and walking with near-human posture have gone viral, drawing both fascination and discomfort.
- The company envisions applications in healthcare, education and commercial services, with market entry expected in late 2026.
CHINA: A highly realistic humanoid robot unveiled in Shanghai has sparked widespread discussion online after videos showcasing its lifelike movements and expressions circulated widely on social media platforms, according to local reports.
The robot, named Moya, was introduced by Shanghai-based robotics firm DroidUp, which describes it as the world’s first fully biomimetic embodied intelligent robot — a system designed to perceive, reason and act within the physical world rather than operating purely in digital environments.
Humanlike Movement and Expressions
Footage shared online shows Moya walking with a smooth, humanlike gait, maintaining eye contact with observers, and displaying subtle facial expressions such as smiling and nodding. The company claims the robot can replicate human micro-expressions, placing it among the most humanlike humanoid robots currently under development.
Moya stands 1.65 metres tall and weighs approximately 32 kilograms, with body proportions designed to closely resemble those of an adult human. According to DroidUp, the robot maintains a surface body temperature of between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius, a feature intended to enhance its lifelike presence during close human interaction.
The company also stated that Moya’s walking posture achieves an accuracy rate of 92 per cent, reflecting a strong emphasis on stability and natural locomotion rather than speed or athletic performance.
Public Reaction and the ‘Uncanny Valley’
The robot’s realistic appearance and behaviour have prompted mixed reactions among netizens. While some expressed amazement at the technological breakthrough and realism, others described the robot’s movements as unsettling or eerie.
Local commentators noted that such reactions reflect the phenomenon commonly referred to as the “uncanny valley”, where humanlike machines evoke discomfort when they appear almost, but not entirely, human.
Design Platform and Modularity
DroidUp has released limited technical details about the platform underlying Moya. However, according to industry sources, the robot is believed to be built on a “Walker 3” chassis.
The name has drawn some attention, as “Walker” is commonly associated with humanoid robots developed by other Chinese robotics firms. No official link between the platforms has been confirmed.
Industry observers also noted that Moya features a modular design, allowing its external appearance to be customised without altering its core mechanical structure — a feature that could enable deployment across multiple industries.
Planned Applications and Market Outlook
DroidUp is not positioning Moya as a purely industrial robot. According to local reports, the company envisions the humanoid being used in healthcare, education, and commercial environments, where prolonged human-robot interaction and approachability are key.
Rather than focusing on heavy labour or high-speed tasks, Moya appears designed for settings that require communication, guidance and emotional engagement.
The company has indicated that Moya is expected to enter the market by late 2026, with an estimated starting price of around 1.2 million yuan (approximately US$172,772). Final specifications, pricing details and deployment plans have yet to be officially announced.
