23 Jul 2025

Humanoid Robot “Ameca” Debuts at Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum

Humanoid Robot “Ameca” Debuts at Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum

(eap) The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum (HNF) in Paderborn, Germany, is now offering visitors a new highlight: the humanoid robot “Ameca” has moved into the museum and seeks to impress with its human-like facial expressions, gestures, and complex communication abilities.

The robot is another addition to the novelties marking the 100th birthday of Heinz Nixdorf (†). “[…] With Ameca, we are showcasing one of the most advanced humanoid robots currently available worldwide during the Nixdorf100 anniversary year. Ameca is therefore an excellent addition to our robotics collection, which we began some 25 years ago. This way, the HNF remains the only place where visitors can trace the development of robotics,” says HNF Managing Director Dr Jochen Viehoff, expressing his enthusiasm for the new exhibit.

Ameca stands 1.87 metres tall, weighs 62 kilograms, has a grey face, and no hair. The machine is equipped with 61 motors – 27 of which control facial expressions, allowing for particularly lifelike responses during interaction with visitors. A human-sounding voice, advanced speech synthesis (powered by the AI model ChatGPT), and matching “facial movements” are designed to make communication appear especially natural and effortless. Ameca can smile, frown, blink, wrinkle its nose, and wink. In addition, the robot can move its upper body, arms, fingers, and head – although its legs are static, meaning it cannot move independently.

The humanoid robot was developed by the British company Engineered Arts based in Cornwall, which also created “RoboThespian“, another robot already on display at the HNF. Ameca was first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in 2022, and 29 models are now in operation worldwide.

“We are eager to see how our visitors will respond to Ameca. The opportunity to directly compare robots such as Ameca, Nadine and Pepper is especially fascinating,” Viehoff notes, pointing to the unique opportunity to experience multiple active robots at the HNF. The museum’s permanent exhibition includes a section entitled “Humans and Robots – Living with Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.” There, guests can interact with learning machines and gain deeper insights into the potential of cutting-edge technological developments. ■

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