Engineered Arts

About Engineered Arts

Engineered Arts, a designer and manufacturer of humanoid robots, was founded in Cornwall, UK, by Will Jackson in 2004. The company's genesis stemmed from Jackson's experience in the 1990s with science museum exhibitions, where he identified a need for an automated, entertaining way to present information to crowds. This led to the creation of the first RoboThespian Mark 1 in 2005 for the Eden Project's "Mechanical Theatre". From this initial project, the company has grown, deploying over 200 robots globally to clients like NASA's Kennedy Space Center, National Geographic, and The Sphere in Las Vegas. In 2024, the company restructured as a U.S. entity and secured $10 million in Series A funding to scale production and expand its U.S. footprint.

The business operates by designing, manufacturing, and selling or renting its humanoid robots to a diverse client base that includes science centers, theme parks, museums, universities, and corporations for entertainment, education, research, and events. Their revenue model is based on these sales and rentals, with robots like the RoboThespian priced between £50,000 and £55,000. The company provides a platform for AI and machine learning development, allowing clients to test their own technologies on the robotic hardware.

Engineered Arts' product line features several distinct robots. **RoboThespian** is a full-sized humanoid designed for public interaction, capable of speaking multiple languages and performing automated presentations. **Mesmer** is a system for creating highly realistic humanoids that can replicate the appearance and expressions of a real person using 3D scans and photogrammetry. The system is an integrated package of hardware and software designed to work together seamlessly, unlike systems that use components from various vendors. Their most advanced humanoid, **Ameca**, serves as a platform for AI and human-robot interaction research. Ameca is noted for its fluid movements and a wide range of natural facial expressions, enabled by 17 facial motors. It is a cloud-connected, modular platform, meaning components can be upgraded or used independently, and its interactions can be driven by AI models like GPT-4 or by human telepresence.