Lenovo Leads Push at MWC to Humanize AI With Friendly Robots

Lenovo Group Ltd. and other consumer electronics companies used the MWC Barcelona conference this week to test appetites for physical AI products with humanlike characteristics.

The Beijing-based firm arrived at the show with several proof-of-concept devices, including a desktop robotic arm with a built-in projector, microphones, speakers, cameras and a display with the oversized eyes of an animated character. The gadget, called the AI Workmate, is intended to plug into business environments, recognizing users by their appearance and voice and surfacing pertinent information. The effort to humanize the technology is unmistakable, with the arm performing pet-like movements and gestures.