Chinese university unveils amazingly lifelike robot named “Jia Jia”

World Today

Robot “Jiajia” (L) poses for a photo with a journalist at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province, April 15, 2016.

A new interactive robot named Jia Jia was unveiled Friday by the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province.

“Jia Jia” looks very much like a real woman and can speak English and Mandarin Chinese.

Robot "Jiajia" poses for a photo at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, April 15, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi)

Robot “Jiajia” poses for a photo at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province, April 15, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi)

“Hello everyone, I’m Jia Jia. Welcome!” the eye-catching robot said as it greeted the audience at the university’s multi-media center.

Jia Jia was developed by a robot research and development team at the USTC, which also developed the model service robot “Kejia.”

Robot "Jiajia" (1st L) receives interview at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, April 15, 2016.

Robot “Jiajia” (1st L) receives interview at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province, April 15, 2016.

It took the team three years to research and develop this new-generation interactive robot, which can speak, show micro-expressions, move its lips, and move its body, according to team director Chen Xiaoping.

Compared to previous interactive robots, Jia Jia’s eyeballs roll naturally and its speech is in sync with its lip movements, in addition to her human-like form, Chen said.

Professor Chen Xiaoping (R) introduces the robot "Jiajia" at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, April 15, 2016.

Professor Chen Xiaoping (R) introduces the robot “Jiajia” at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province, April 15, 2016.

Jia Jia can not cry or laugh; that technology is still under development, Chen added.

“We hope to develop the robot so it has deep learning abilities. We will add facial-expression recognition and make it interact more deeply with people,” Chen said.

Robot "Jiajia" poses for a photo at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, April 15, 2016.

Robot “Jiajia” poses for a photo at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province, April 15, 2016.

The robot is valued as “priceless” he added.

Robot "Jiajia" (R) interacts with a technician at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, April 15, 2016. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

Robot “Jiajia” (R) interacts with a technician at the campus of the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, capital of east China’s Anhui Province, April 15, 2016. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

The team is not considering it for mass production yet. Jia Jia will be on show at the 2016 China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair from April 21-23.

Robot "Kejia" designed by the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) performs during the 19th Robocup Competition in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui province, July 22, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Robot evolution. The older model robot “Kejia” designed by the University of Science and Technology of China performs during the 19th Robocup Competition in Hefei on July 22, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Story by China.org.cn