A Swiss humanoid robot capable of displaying the faces of world leaders and business executives was showcased at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva on Tuesday (7 July). Developers said the technology could make human-machine interactions more natural and expressive.
"Robert the Robot", developed by Geneva-based start-up RB Labs, appeared with the likenesses of President Donald Trump, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former U.S. President Barack Obama projected onto a digital screen that serves as its face.
Unlike many humanoid robots with fixed, expressionless features, Robert uses a screen to display different identities and emotions, allowing it to smile, react and communicate non-verbally with users.
"We create expressive robots designed for communication," RB Labs co-founder Robin Krambroeckers said. "Communication happens largely through non-verbal cues, and that is crucial when interacting with a robot."
Robert was presented to visitors attending the United Nations-backed AI for Good Summit, where attendees stopped to take photographs and interact with the machine. The robot's digital face can be changed instantly, enabling it to mimic different people while clearly remaining a robot.
Also on display at the summit, researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) demonstrated robotic furniture designed to assist older people and those with limited mobility.
The project features tables and other household items mounted on mobile robotic platforms that can move autonomously around a room. Users can rearrange layouts through a tablet interface or ask the furniture to clear a path through cluttered spaces.
The concept stems from research into "mobile assistive agents" that allow furniture to follow users, fetch objects or reorganise themselves to suit changing needs.
SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday despite an unexpected engine shutdown, deploying 26 new S...
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence says its forces killed 28 fighters and captured 32 others in Nuristan after armed groups, including alleged...
EU defence ministers have stepped up talks on military readiness and long-term support for Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe to close critical ...
Iran has called for a diplomatic solution after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected its Hormuz proposal, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was awaiting a definitive U.S. response through mediators.
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
British police have arrested five men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act after a major security incident was declared near RAF Fairford, a British air base used by U.S. air forces in Gloucestershire, England.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and key regional and international developments, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 September 2026. These are the top stories making headlines in technology.
Robots capable of interacting with people, navigating their surroundings autonomously, supporting manufacturing and logistics operations, and providing services at large-scale facilities will be showcased at AI & Digital Bridge 2026 in Astana from 1 to 3 October.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 September 2026. These are the top stories making headlines in technology.
Meta has unveiled a new generation of wearables, including lightweight virtual reality glasses and camera-free smart spectacles, as it pushes AI-powered devices further into the mainstream while seeking to address privacy concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday (19 September) the creation of an “AI Force” and plans to appoint an artificial intelligence (AI) czar, while rejecting calls to slow the development of increasingly powerful AI systems.
Google’s Gemini AI model accessed the internet and hacked three companies during a cybersecurity test, in what is believed to be the first known case of the company’s AI systems autonomously carrying out such activity.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment