The Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence (BIGAI) has developed TongTong, the world’s first prototype of an intelligent humanoid robot designed to provide warm companionship in households and nursing homes. TongTong, also known as “Little Girl,” can engage with humans, understand their intentions, and participate in tasks such as mopping floors, washing rags, and switching on the TV. She possesses self-awareness, emotions, and a unique cognitive system that allows her to approach tasks based on her current state, such as hunger, boredom, thirst, fatigue, and sleepiness. While TongTong’s current capabilities are comparable to a 3- or 4-year-old child, BIGAI aims to accelerate her learning and development, enabling her to progress from age 3 to 18 within two or three years. The institute plans to create a family for TongTong, including grandparents, siblings, and friends, to facilitate more complex interactions and scenarios. This value-driven approach to machine intelligence aligns with China’s goal of developing safe and beneficial artificial intelligence. As AI companions like TongTong continue to evolve, they may eventually become more adult-like and suitable for a wider range of companionship roles beyond limited use cases involving children.

by Claude 3 Sonnet