Moya is a biomimetic humanoid robot developed by DroidUp, a Shanghai-based robotics company. Unveiled in early 2026, Moya is described as the world’s first fully biomimetic embodied intelligent robot, designed to interact with humans in a remarkably lifelike manner.

The robot has garnered significant media attention for its ability to replicate human micro-expressions, maintain eye contact, and walk with a 92% accuracy compared to a human gait. DroidUp, officially Shanghai DroidUp Robot Co., Ltd., is an innovative enterprise specializing in the R&D, production, and sales of general-purpose humanoid robots. The company leverages multi-modal artificial intelligence and limb-bionic technology to create advanced robotics solutions across education, industry, service, and healthcare. The R&D team at DroidUp boasts over two decades of experience in bipedal motion control and cross-modal task learning. Their product line includes a universal humanoid robot platform, high-simulation expression robots, and a skill development and teaching platform for their robots.

Moya stands at 1.65 meters (5.5 feet) tall and weighs 32 kilograms (70 pounds). One of its most distinctive features is its ability to maintain a body temperature between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius (89.6°F and 96.8°F), which enhances its human-like presence. The robot’s exterior is covered in a soft, environmentally friendly silicone skin, and its modular design allows for customization of its appearance and gender characteristics without altering the underlying mechanics. This modularity is built upon an upgraded “Walker 3” chassis, although DroidUp has not officially detailed this platform. The use of the name “Walker” has caused some confusion due to its association with UBTECH Robotics, but there is no confirmed connection between the two companies.

Moya’s AI and software stack is centered on embodied AI, enabling it to perceive, reason, and act in the physical world. This allows for more natural and intuitive interaction with people. While specific details about the software architecture have not been disclosed, the focus on biomimicry and embodied intelligence suggests a sophisticated system capable of learning and adapting to its environment. The robot’s ability to replicate micro-expressions and maintain a warm body temperature are key components of its interactive capabilities, aiming to bridge the ‘uncanny valley’ and foster more natural human-robot communication.

DroidUp has positioned Moya for deployment in social environments such as healthcare, education, and hospitality, rather than industrial settings. The company envisions the robot assisting in roles that require a high degree of human interaction and approachability. While there are no confirmed large-scale deployments to date, DroidUp has indicated that pilot programs in commercial and household contexts are planned.

The robot is expected to be available on the market by late 2026, with a reported starting price of approximately 1.2 million yuan (around $173,000 USD). However, final pricing and availability are yet to be formally announced. Moya’s debut has been met with a mix of fascination and unease, with some observers praising its realism while others find its human-like appearance unsettling. The development of Moya represents a significant step forward in biomimetic robotics and highlights the growing trend toward creating robots designed for social interaction rather than purely functional tasks.