$175,000 AI Robot Girlfriend Unveiled at CES 2025

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A $175,000 AI-powered robot designed to serve as a romantic companion was unveiled at CES 2025 by Realbotix, an American company specializing in lifelike humanoid robots. The robot, named Aria, is part of a lineup that includes models ranging from a $12,000 talking head to a fully mobile, customizable companion.

Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel described the company’s mission as creating robots that are “indistinguishable from humans.” Aria, the flagship model, features 17 motors to drive facial expressions, hidden cameras for visual recognition, and modular components that allow users to swap out faces and hairstyles. The robot can engage in real-time conversations, recognize objects, and even adapt its personality based on its appearance.

“We think we have the most realistic robots in the world in terms of their appearance,” Kiguel said. “We’re really keen on making robots that can create emotion, show you what they’re feeling.” He emphasized that Aria is not a sex toy but can engage in intimate conversations, likening the experience to the AI-human relationship depicted in the movie “Her.”

Aria’s capabilities include identifying people and objects through its camera-equipped eyes, allowing it to ask contextually relevant questions. For example, it might notice someone eating an apple and inquire about its taste. The robot’s modular design also enables users to customize its appearance, with faces and body parts that can be swapped in under five seconds.

Despite its advanced features, Aria still exhibits some robotic quirks, such as delayed lip-syncing and slightly unnatural limb movements. However, Kiguel remains optimistic about the technology’s potential. “We’re taking it to a different level that nobody else is really doing,” he said.

Realbotix offers three versions of its robots: a $10,000 bust, a $150,000 modular model, and the $175,000 Aria, which moves on a circular base. The company is also exploring the use of RFID tags to enable robots to recognize changes in their appearance and adjust their behavior accordingly.

While Aria’s primary focus is companionship, Kiguel envisions applications in healthcare and entertainment, such as hospital assistance or theme park interactions. The robot’s ability to form emotional bonds with users could make it a groundbreaking tool for addressing loneliness, he said.

For now, Aria remains a high-tech novelty, but its unveiling at CES 2025 highlights the rapid advancements in AI and robotics, raising questions about the future of human-robot relationships.