An uncanny humanoid robot is working at a government office in Russia — here's how it works

• A humanoid robot is the first to work in a civil service office in Russia.
• The robot was made by Philadelphia-based Promobot.
• Previously, a Promobot was spotted around New York City surveying people about possible coronavirus symptoms before getting banned from a park.

Promobot's most recent robot sits firmly in uncanny valley, working as a civil servant in Perm, Russia. The humanoid robot can process documents and file requests into the local government information system.

Back in February, the company gained attention after sending its robots around New York City and surveying passersby about possible COVID-19 symptoms. It asked people questions about symptoms, gave advice about avoiding the virus, and handed out face masks, and the company says it performed similar surveys in Mexico in March. Promobot was kicked out of Bryant Park in New York for lacking proper permits.

Take a look at the new robot.

According to Promobot, the robot's appearance was developed based on several thousand women in the Perm area to generate a robot the resembled the population.

Humanoid Promobot in Russia.      Photo by Maxim Kimerling\TASS via Getty Images

It can show the "full spectrum of human emotions and facial expressions," according to Promobot, thanks to mechanical muscles that allow movement in the eyes, eyebrows, and lips.

Humanoid Promobot in Russia.      Photo by Maxim Kimerling\TASS via Getty Images

Muscles under the robot's artificial skin allow more than 600 facial expressions.

Humanoid Promobot in Russia.      Photo by Maxim Kimerling\TASS via Getty Images

The robot works in a government facility, answering questions previously handled by a person.

Humanoid Promobot in Russia.      Photo by Maxim Kimerling\TASS via Getty Images

It's connected to hardware that can scan government documents like passports or birth certificates.

Humanoid Promobot in Russia.      Photo by Maxim Kimerling\TASS via Getty Images

To use it, citizens can come up to the service desk and start speaking to the robot as they would a person.

Humanoid Promobot.      Promobot

The robot can then react, produce the right documents, and scan signed versions into the government system.

Humanoid Promobot.      Promobot

Right now, other workers are testing out the robot and giving feedback to perfect the service.

Humanoid Promobot in Russia.      Photo by Maxim Kimerling\TASS via Getty Images

Promobot is best known for its five-foot-tall robot that wandered Bryant Park and Times Square back in March, giving out advice about avoiding the coronavirus. It was banned from the park for lacking the proper permits.

Passers-by in Times Square interact with a Promobot robot that informs the public about the symptoms of coronavirus and how to prevent it from spreading, in this still frame obtained from video captured in New York City.      Reuters

Source: Business Insider