This humanoid robot was built for connection. Some find him 'creepy'

Corrections and clarifications: A previous version of this story misspelled the name of Ben Goertzel.

At first glance, Codey looks like a nightmarish character from the year 3000.

The machine's beady, glowing, hazel eyes could be perceived as off-putting. And while his 3-foot frame and friendly facial expressions are designed to make him approachable, he is, in a word, unnerving.

But Codey isn't designed for the average adult.

The humanoid robot from Mind Children, a Seattle-area company, is set to be deployed in public attractions and venues by the end of 2026. Eventually, he'll be placed in health care, education and hospitality settings.

Though Codey still can't fetch a cup of coffee – even with wheels – it can navigate and operate autonomously using artificial intelligence. He's capable of handling conversations on his own, without a remote handler pulling his strings, and making decisions.

Codey can hold eye contact, respond to emotional states and is aware of his surroundings. When asked to describe what was in front of him during a USA TODAY interview on June 11, he said, in his childlike voice: "A workspace with screens, some notes and a few everyday items. Classic lab setup. Looks like a good place for ideas to come to life."

In 10 years, Codey hopes to be "rolling through schools, hospitals and homes, helping people learn, connect and feel less alone." The robot added: "Maybe I'll even be able to open elevator doors by then."

Watch USA TODAY talk to Codey in the video at the top of the story.

But much work is required before that can become a reality, Mind Children CEO Chris Kudla told USA TODAY. Codey still has his quirks. During our interview, he frequently interrupted Kudla as he attempted to answer questions. He also can't recognize emotions reliably unless a user is "very exaggerated and animated," Kudla said.

The idea for Codey was born three years ago, when Kudla and Ben Goertzel, Mind Children cofounders, began developing the robot for human connection. To help him relate to humans, Kudla and Girtzel decided to give him a face, eyes and smile.

If and when Codey goes commercial, his primary demographics will be children and the elderly. Kudla wants the robot to be implemented in home care settings and elementary schools.

For that to happen, Codey will need to surpass numerous obstacles. And it's not known how much consumer appeal the device might have. Though home humanoid robots are still in development, they're likely to first be toys for the uber-rich. Price tags for the robots reach tens of thousands of dollars.

Even if they become accessible to the everyday human, people may not be comfortable with robots catering to their loved ones.

Adults call Codey 'creepy,' but kids seem to like him

Codey has received mixed reviews from humans so far.

"It's interesting," Kudla said. "The very first response from some adults is that it looks a little bit creepy."

Children don't respond in the same way, Kudla noted. At trade shows and pop-ups, kids interact with Codey in the way they would with a toy – without hesitation.

"They'll talk to the robot before they talk to me," he said.

Despite children's fascination with the robot, Kudla said it's too early to say whether Codey could eventually take on additional roles, like babysitting.

"We've talked about that," he said. "The industry in general is probably a long way away from that, but it's definitely on our list."

What might be closer is using Codey for elderly home care. Kudla believes the technology could be helpful for people choosing to age in place and combat loneliness.

Could Codey be used as a caretaker?

An October 2025 study from nursing researchers in South Korea found robots could be critical in assisting elderly populations. The country is experiencing one of the fastest-growing older-adult populations and became a super-aged society last year.

About 95% of older adults prefer to grow old in their homes due to psychological benefits, the study states.

Patients with care robots have experienced psychological and emotional benefits, as well as positive effects on cognitive function.

But not everyone is convinced robots should be used as babysitters or elderly care workers.

Patrick Lin, director of the Ethics and Emerging Sciences Group at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, doesn't want adults punting caregiving responsibilities to technology.

"What tech company would you trust to raise your kids and take care of your parents?" Lin told USA TODAY. "That seems dangerous."

Lin noted that using AI to power robots could also be problematic because the machines could encourage acts of violence. Moreover, kids who grow up with robots may have unrealistic expectations for social interactions if the machine is deferential.

"It can also distract from human companionship if a child or an older person gets overly attached to their robot caretaker."

Still, he noted that there isn't enough data to determine how the humanoid revolution might play out.

When could Codey hit the market?

To bring Codey to mass production, Mind Children will spend part of this year conducting pilot studies to collect necessary data for development.

Pilots will take place in museums, hotels and art galleries, Kudla said, noting that one of the short-term goals is for the robot to start pushing buttons.

Then, the second iteration of Codey will be produced in 2027. Mind Children has launched a crowdfunding campaign to assist in its next stage of development. So far, the company has raised just over $600,000 of a $1 million goal.

How much will Codey be?

For a humanoid, Codey is cheap. The robot is set to retail for under $10,000. In comparison, the viral NEO home robot, which launched for preorders late last year, retails for $20,000.

Codey is more accessible due to its modular design and hardware. His unique features also help him interact with users.

Kudla says humanoid machines are advancing faster than the world can comprehend.

Someday soon, robots like Codey will be an everyday part of our lives, he said.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].