On January 30, 2026, the Shanghai-based robotics startup DroidUp (also known as Zhuoyide) unveiled Moya, heralded as the world’s first “fully biomimetic embodied intelligent robot.”
Unlike the industrial-looking humanoids from Tesla or Boston Dynamics, Moya is designed to bridge the “uncanny valley” by prioritizing human-like presence, touch, and social interaction over raw mechanical power.
1. Key Features: The “Living” Machine
Moya’s design focuses on embodied AI—intelligence that isn’t just a chatbot, but a system that perceives and acts within a physical environment using human-like senses.
- Warm Skin: In a world-first, Moya features an internal heating system that maintains a body temperature between 32°C and 36°C (89.6°F to 96.8°F). The goal is to make physical contact, like a handshake or assistance with mobility, feel “warm and alive” rather than cold and metallic.
- 92% Walking Accuracy: Built on the “Walker 3” chassis, Moya replicates human gait with 92% accuracy. This includes subtle weight shifts and fluid strides that avoid the “stiff-knee” walk common in other humanoids.
- Micro-Expressions: Cameras hidden behind her eyes allow her to track faces and respond with “micro-expressions”—tiny, involuntary-style facial movements like a slight eyebrow raise or a subtle smile—to build emotional rapport.
2. Specifications & Modular Design
Moya is designed for versatility, with a modular architecture that allows her appearance to be swapped (e.g., changing from a female to a male presentation) while keeping the same internal hardware.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Height | 1.65 Meters (approx. 5.5 feet) |
| Weight | 32 Kilograms (approx. 70 pounds) |
| Internal Skeleton | Walker 3 (Sequel to the 2025 Robot Half-Marathon bronze medalist) |
| Primary Interaction | Facial tracking, eye contact, and vocal response |
| Locomotion Focus | Social stability and naturalness over speed |
3. Intended Roles: Healthcare & Education
DroidUp is not positioning Moya as a factory worker or a home maid. Instead, the company envisions her in roles where “appearance and empathy” matter most:
- Elderly Care: Using her warm skin and expressive face to reduce feelings of isolation in aging populations.
- Specialized Education: Acting as a “tireless tutor” that can adapt lessons based on a student’s emotional cues.
- Public Service: Working in high-engagement environments like museums, banks, and shopping centers as a “relatable” guide.
4. Pricing and Market Entry
- Expected Launch: Late 2026.
- Estimated Price: ¥1.2 Million (approximately $173,000 or ₹1.45 Crore).
- Market Position: This premium pricing places Moya as a high-end enterprise tool for hospitals and luxury institutions rather than a general consumer product.
Conclusion: Walking the Uncanny Valley
Public reaction to Moya has been famously polarized. While some hail the 32°C warm skin as a breakthrough for robot-human empathy, social media users have dubbed her “super-creepy” and a “deterrent for burglars.” DroidUp’s founder, Li Qingdu, maintains that a robot designed to serve people shouldn’t feel lifeless. Whether the world is ready to hold a warm, “breathing” robot hand remains the ultimate experiment for 2026.
