Meet Amira, an Unsettlingly Realistic Robot With Synthetic Skin That Reacts to Things Just Like You

It’s stuck with me. It’s a strange and disturbing feeling, to say the least. Unsettling. This is how I feel when I think of Amira, the ultra-realistic robot that Engineered Arts showcased at MWC 2025. This robot, designed to resemble a woman, features hair and remarkably lifelike facial expressions. Amira can also react to what you say or even respond to your gestures, such as waving. The company’s robot was the highlight of last year’s event. In 2025, it’s taken things a step further.

As such, Amira is an upgraded version of the Ameca robot. In addition to a more advanced AI engine, it now resembles a human woman even more closely. With added hair, synthetic skin, and a stylish dress, Amira clearly has an improved appearance.

Amira is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4, which enables the robot to respond naturally to your conversation. During the demonstration, it operated only in English. However, thanks to GPT -4, it can answer in 50 other languages.

I’ve Seen What the Future Holds With Humanoid Robots, and I Have Mixed Feelings About It

Amira was at the Emirates-based operator e& booth. The robot exemplifies advances in robotics and their potential to revolutionize customer service. It can analyze its environment, detect when someone is nearby, understand what they’re doing, and react accordingly.

The robot stands on a fixed circle and doesn’t walk. However, it can move its upper torso, head, and arms as it interacts with the audience. If you raise your hand, Amira greets you. If you ask it a question, it responds naturally. This is precisely its strength. There’s no need to phrase questions in a specific way–Amira answers fluently.

Interestingly, if you stand in front of Amira and do nothing, it’ll pretend to get annoyed, and its eyes will display an expression of boredom. The effectiveness of its reactions is impressive, especially when compared to other, more basic robots. With Amira, the responses are quick and seamless.

During my visit to MWC 2025, Amira engaged me by asking if I was enjoying the event. The robot also asked if I was feeling tired, all while clarifying that it wasn’t since it’s only a robot.

To identify what’s happening around it, Amira is equipped with two cameras in its eyes that use facial recognition software, along with two sets of microphones located in its neck area.

The movements of the humanoid robot still have room for improvement, but its facial expressions are quite well done. Amira smiles, shows anger, looks away, tells jokes, and acts surprised. However, what’s most disturbing is how realistic it looks. Its articulated hands, facial features, wig, and nails contribute to this uncanny realism.

More from Xataka On

This Curious Image Puts Humanoid Robots Side-by-Side in a Pseudo Police Lineup

When you examine Amira’s hands up close, it can be quite unsettling. This isn’t only due to their appearance but also because they react like human hands would. It’s this combination that is particularly surprising. When I approached it to take a picture, I felt a strange sensation. On one hand, I knew it was an object. On the other, I felt like I was getting close to “someone.”

In an effort to make Amira appear as human as possible, the company even adorned it with jewelry and a little red coat. Engineered Arts also dressed it with simple white sneakers to give the robot a casual look. Despite these efforts, creators couldn’t eliminate the disturbing sensation that the robot evokes.

While discussing with others present, one word was repeatedly mentioned: “creepy.” Notably, the reaction was different last year. Ameca lacked skin and a wig, and there was less of an attempt to replicate human appearance. The gray color and visible mechanical components were apparent. In contrast, Amira is covered in skin and aims to conceal its robotic nature.

Although the distinction is noticeable, it can be subtle from a distance. An unobservant person might be briefly fooled. The challenge of the “uncanny valley” has been present for decades. Visually, there hasn’t been significant progress. However, the incorporation of AI allows the robot to interact and adapt to its environment in real time, adding another dimension altogether.

Personally, I’ve always had a positive view of robots and AI, but it’s still difficult to see that these realistic AI-driven humanoid robots will become commonplace. While they have great potential for widespread use, accepting their presence is challenging. From a technological standpoint, they’re advancing rapidly, but the unsettling feeling they evoke remains.

Images | Xataka

Related | Apple Believes It Has an Ace up Its Sleeve to Shine in the Saturated Robot Market: ‘Emotional Robotics’