Looking for a $130,000 payday? Geomiq, a British engineering and manufacturing firm is searching for a ‘kind and friendly’ face to be the face of a robot once it goes into production. “This will entail the selected person’s face being reproduced on potentially thousands of versions of the robots worldwide,” Geomiq says in a blog post about the project.
Why Now?
Robots have been at the forefront of technology for decades, and are widely considered the future of our technological advancement. With the number of adults over 85 expected to triple by 2050, according to some estimates, robots designed to keep the elderly company are becoming increasingly common. They also serve a practical purpose, doing things like responding to voice commands, offering proactive notifications and advice and letting relatives monitor conditions at home. There is still a long way to go but new robotic products are coming into fruition all the time. Geomiq says the robot line has been in the works for five years and will result in a companion for seniors.
What About Privacy?
The designer has noted in an interview with a select press pool that they can’t release too many details at this stage, but candidates who make it to the next phase will be given details on the project in its entirety. The designer has also stressed that unsuccessful candidates will not be contacted. The company says the need for anonymity is due to the ‘secretive’ nature of the project, however it believes the robot will soon be ‘readily available’ to the public and hopes the campaign will create extra buzz ahead of its eventual release. “We know that this is an extremely unique request, and signing over the licenses to your face is potentially an extremely big decision,” Geomiq said.
Who is the company?
The company is privately-funded and says the robots’ purpose will be to act as a ‘virtual friend’ for elderly people and is set to go into production next year. The designer has said that the project has been in development for five years, and in that time frame taken on investment from some independent VCs as well as a top fund based in Shanghai. The company says the need for anonymity is due to the ‘secretive’ nature of the project, however it believes the robot will soon be ‘readily available’ to the public and hopes the campaign will create extra buzz ahead of its eventual release.
What Are The Requirements?
The blog post doesn’t share age or gender parameters, it just asks people who want to license their face to submit a photo via email for the chance at £100,000 (about $130,000, AU$188,852). Candidates who make it to the “next phase” will get full details on the project. The secrecy, Geomiq says, is due to a non-disclosure agreement it’s signed with the robot’s designer and investors.
Up for the challenge? You can apply now.
