World’s First ‘Biomimetic AI Robot’ Moya Debuts with 92% Human-Like Walking Accuracy
A humanoid robot capable of walking, making eye contact, and expressing subtle facial movements is turning heads on Chinese social media. Named Moya, the robot was recently unveiled in Shanghai by robotics company DroidUp, which claims it to be the world’s first fully biomimetic embodied intelligent robot.
Unlike traditional AI systems that operate mainly in digital environments, Moya is designed around the concept of embodied artificial intelligence—systems that perceive, reason, and act within the physical world. In videos shared by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the robot is seen smiling, nodding, maintaining eye contact, and walking with a gait that closely mirrors human movement. DroidUp asserts that Moya can replicate human micro-expressions, making it one of the most humanlike robots currently under development.
Standing 1.65 meters (5.5 feet) tall and weighing approximately 32 kilograms (70 pounds), Moya has proportions similar to an adult human. The robot maintains a body temperature between 32°C and 36°C (89.6°F to 96.8°F) to enhance lifelike interactions. DroidUp highlights that Moya’s walking posture reaches an impressive 92 percent accuracy, emphasizing stable and natural locomotion.
Moya’s lifelike appearance and movement have sparked a mix of fascination and unease on social media, reflecting the classic “uncanny valley” phenomenon—where artificial beings appear almost human but trigger subtle discomfort. According to SCMP journalist Llewellyn Cheung, some users praised the realism, while others found the movements slightly unsettling.
While DroidUp has shared few technical specifics, the robot reportedly utilizes a “Walker 3” chassis, according to RoboHorizon. This modular platform allows customization of Moya’s external appearance without changing its core mechanics. Though the “Walker” name is also linked to UBTECH’s humanoid robots, no formal connection exists between the two companies.
Moya’s debut comes at a time when global humanoid development is branching in diverse directions. Some companies adopt cartoonish or clearly mechanical designs to avoid human comparison, while others focus on industrial performance. DroidUp, however, is among the few pursuing highly realistic humanoids intended to cross the uncanny valley.
Rather than industrial or athletic applications, Moya is designed for human-centered environments such as healthcare, education, and other commercial settings where prolonged interaction and approachability are essential. SCMP reports that DroidUp expects to release Moya to the market by late 2026, with a starting price of roughly 1.2 million Japanese yen. Final pricing and availability remain unconfirmed.
With its lifelike gestures, walking precision, and facial expressiveness, Moya represents a significant step in humanoid robotics—highlighting the potential of AI not just as a tool, but as a companion capable of nuanced human interaction.
