CES has long been a showcase for bizarre and imaginative technologies, and this year is no different. Innovative but disconcerting products include full-body robots with expressions and movements that challenge our perceptions of reality, leading us to question the very nature of companionship and interaction with AI.

One such creation is a modular, conversational robot from Realbotix, which boasts a price tag of around $200,000. A demo video of this robot exhibited some unsettling features, prompting skepticism about the extent of its realism—all while showcasing an uncomfortable concept: connections that layer humor with eeriness.

“The custom AI solutions provided by Realbotix aim to fulfill needs for companionship, interaction, or business purposes,” states the company, hinting at the possibility for intimate relationships with their machines.

Nested within the unsettling display are moments that might make potential buyers reconsider their choices, such as unintentional jerky movements reminiscent of outdated animatronics. As the robots attempt gestures typical of social interaction, the impression left can be off-putting, causing further unease.

Adding to the discomfort, the promotional material features shocking moments where the robots are essentially deconstructed in a bid for realism. This unmasking prompts an existential question about our acceptance of technological intimacy and if it crosses ethical lines.

In a world rapidly embracing AI integration across various domains, CES 2025 has elevated the conversation around companionship robots like never before, spurring a whirlwind of speculation about our future interactions with technology.