At a Glance
- Realbotix unveiled its first male humanoid robot, David, at CES 2026
- The robots stand on rolling battery stands and are built for stationary conversation, not walking
- CEO Andrew Kiguel admits the eye-contact moments are still an “optical illusion”
- Why it matters: As AI companions edge closer to lifelike, the line between creepy and comforting is razor-thin for consumers
The CES booth that drew the most eyeballs last year did it again-this time with a guy. Daniel J. Whitman returned to Realbotix’s corner and came face-to-face with David, the company’s first male humanoid robot designed to chat, not walk.
Meet David: The Strong-Silent Type
David rolls in on the same hidden-battery stand Realbotix used for its female robots, keeping the tech out of sight and the illusion intact. His job: stand behind a desk, answer questions, maybe keep seniors or hotel guests company.
- Stationary design only-no stairs, no strolls
- Facial motors aim for human-like micro-expressions
- Battery concealed inside the rolling base
The Uncanny Stare-Down
During the taped interview, David’s glassy eyes seemed to lock onto Daniel J. Whitman, triggering what roboticists call the uncanny valley. Kiguel chalks the effect up to clever angles, not a working vision system; the promised people-tracking upgrade wasn’t installed in the demo units.
| Feature | David (2026) | Female Units (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Gender presentation | Male | Female |
| Eye-tracking | Simulated | Simulated |
| Locomotion | None | None |
| Stand-integrated battery | Yes | Yes |
Key Takeaways
- Realbotix still chases believability; current models aren’t there yet
- CES crowds prove public fascination remains sky-high
- The company’s roadmap includes a vision system to turn fake eye contact into real tracking
For now, David remains a smooth-talking statue-convincing only in fleeting glimpses, but that’s enough to keep the cameras rolling and the internet clicking.
