A prototype humanoid robot named Codey has been unveiled by Seattle-based Mind Children Robotics at a recent robotics event in New York. Designed to facilitate social interactions, Codey is a child-sized robot equipped with facial expressions and open-source AI, targeting a retail price below $10,000.
Co-founder Ben Goertzel highlighted Codey's potential to address significant caregiving issues in the U.S., where an estimated 9 million direct care jobs will remain unfilled by 2031. With 40% of older adults reporting feelings of loneliness, the robot aims to provide companionship and support in various settings, including schools and hospitals.
Standing at 3 feet tall and featuring a modular design for cost-effective manufacturing, Codey is built to engage users through eye contact, humor, and personalized interaction. Co-founder Chris Kudla noted that the goal is to achieve 80% of the functionality at only 20% of the cost of similar robots. Codey's design allows it to serve multiple roles, from classroom assistant to caregiver.