The robot is called Emo and has learned to predict a person's smile approximately 840 milliseconds in advance. This new step towards future companion robots capable of assisting the elderly and working in homes is due to the experiment conducted at Columbia University in New York.
High-resolution cameras in the pupil of each eye allow the robot to make eye contact, which is essential for non-verbal communication. The potential misuse of this technology highlights the need for strong ethical and governance frameworks to ensure that these innovations are aligned with society's values and well-being.