Lifelike Cosplayers Fool Attendees at Beijing World Robot Conference, Sparking AI Debate

Cosplayers Mistaken for Robots at World Robot Conference in Beijing

Viral footage from the World Robot Conference in Beijing has sparked confusion and debate online, as what appeared to be humanoid robots posing at the event were revealed to be human women in costume. The cosplayers, likely hired by animatronics company Ex-Robots, were so convincing that many attendees and social media users initially believed them to be actual robots.

Reporter Byron Wan brought attention to the misunderstanding on social media, noting that numerous people had been fooled by the lifelike performances. The illusion was ultimately shattered when an image circulated showing one of the women having lunch at the event, clearly out of character.

This incident is not without precedent in the tech world. In 2022, Tesla employed a similar tactic, featuring a dancer posing as their Optimus robot. However, the cosplayers at the Beijing conference were notably more convincing, leading to widespread confusion on various social media platforms.

A community note on X (formerly Twitter) eventually clarified that the figures were indeed cosplayers and not actual robots, accusing the original poster of seeking engagement through the misleading content.

Despite the controversy surrounding the cosplayers, Ex-Robots has made significant strides in humanoid robot development. In June, Reuters reported on the company’s progress in creating robots capable of displaying ersatz emotions through facial expressions. Ex-Robots CEO Li Boyang stated that their robots can perceive their environment and produce appropriate facial feedback.

The motives behind hiring human cosplayers for the World Robot Conference remain unclear. Speculation ranges from their use as traditional “booth babes” to a deliberate attempt to deceive attendees. The mixed reception on social media suggests it may have been a combination of both intentions.

This incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing advancements in humanoid robotics, including recent news of a deal to integrate OpenAI technology into such robots.

As the line between human and machine continues to blur in public demonstrations, events like this serve as a reminder of the complex relationship between technological progress and public perception in the rapidly evolving field of robotics.