The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) took place in London from July 1–4, bringing together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from around the world to explore the latest advances in social robotics. Among the many impressive humanoid robots on display, both Euclid and Ameca attracted considerable attention, each representing a very different approach to humanoid robotics. While Euclid demonstrated what can be achieved through an innovative low-budget development approach, Ameca showcased the capabilities of a highly sophisticated commercial platform. Developed by the British company Engineered Arts, Ameca is an advanced humanoid robot designed primarily for research into human–robot interaction. Equipped with an artificial intelligence system and 27 facial and motion actuators, it is capable of remarkably lifelike facial expressions and gestures. Ameca comes pre-programmed with more than 50 realistic facial expressions, allowing it to convey a broad spectrum of natural human emotions. Through Engineered Arts‘ web-based Tritium platform, every degree of freedom of its eyes, mouth, eyebrows, and cheeks can be individually customized and fine-tuned, enabling an extraordinary level of expressive precision. Although intended primarily as a stationary platform, Ameca was undoubtedly one of the highlights of ICSR 2026, drawing crowds throughout the conference in the entrance hall of Senate House. Visitors eagerly lined up to take photographs, capturing moments in which the robot appeared face-to-face with people or turned toward them with what seemed like genuine curiosity and openness. Occasionally, Ameca developed a slight cross-eyed gaze, an endearing imperfection that made it seem even more approachable. Its neutral skin tone and deliberately androgynous appearance resist conventional categories of identity, yet with relatively simple enhancements such as a wig or makeup, it could easily be transformed to present a distinctly male or female appearance. Further information is available at icsr2026.uk.

Fig.: Ameca at ICSR + Art 2026