# Ep. 18: What Happens When Machines Start Feeling More Human?

- Show: [The Robo Success Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast)
- Published: 2026-09-15
- Length: 41m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-09-15-ep-18-what-happens-when-machines-start-feeling-more-human
- Listen: https://podcast.ausha.co/the-robo-success-podcast/ep-18-what-happens-when-machines-start-feeling-more-human

## Summary

Andrew Kiguel, CEO and Chairman of Realbotix, discusses the company's focus on social companion robots rather than industrial automation, leveraging his background in finance and previous ventures like Hut 8. He details the development of the Aria educational robot, which uses a closed-loop, STEM-based AI to provide safe tutoring in schools, and introduces the new Echo line, including characters like Amar and Mila, designed for stationary, human-facing interactions. Kiguel argues that stationary designs offer practical advantages in battery life and safety, while highlighting the market validation provided by competitors like UBTech and Unitree in China.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-09-15-ep-18-what-happens-when-machines-start-feeling-more-human#t=0) Introduction: Andrew Kiguel and Realbotix Background
- [3:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-09-15-ep-18-what-happens-when-machines-start-feeling-more-human#t=221) Realbotix's Social Robot Strategy vs. Industrial Automation
- [8:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-09-15-ep-18-what-happens-when-machines-start-feeling-more-human#t=502) Market Analysis: UBTech, Unitree, and the Humanoid Market
- [13:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-09-15-ep-18-what-happens-when-machines-start-feeling-more-human#t=787) The Aria Educational Robot and Closed-Loop STEM AI
- [28:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-09-15-ep-18-what-happens-when-machines-start-feeling-more-human#t=1725) Technical Challenges: Servos, Synchronization, and Vision
- [32:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-09-15-ep-18-what-happens-when-machines-start-feeling-more-human#t=1969) Safety, Stationary Design, and the Echo Line Launch
- [40:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-09-15-ep-18-what-happens-when-machines-start-feeling-more-human#t=2407) Future Deployments and Humanoid Summit Plans

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Realbotix (company)
- Hut 8 (company)
- Aria (product)
- Echo (product)
- UBTech (company)
- Unitree (company)
- ChatGPT (product)
- Grok (product)
- Optimus (product)
- Figure AI (product)
- Amika (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Paolo Pirjanian on the Moonshot of Developing a Companion Robot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-06-10-paolo-pirjanian-on-the-moonshot-of-developing-a-companion-robot) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Inside Colin Angle’s bid to build companion robots with Familiar Machines & Magic](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-05-04-inside-colin-angles-bid-to-build-companion-robots-with-familiar-machines-magic) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Inside 1x's plan to test humanoids in homes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-04-inside-1xs-plan-to-test-humanoids-in-homes) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Episode 163: Robots helping people - Aaron Edsinger](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-09-25-episode-163-robots-helping-people-aaron-edsinger) (Robot Talk)
- [From Sci-Fi to Reality:  Physical AI's Future with Dr. Jan Liphardt](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-04-24-from-sci-fi-to-reality-physical-ais-future-with-dr-jan-liphardt) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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