Are Ultra-Realistic Robots the Answer to Loneliness?

What if the biggest role for robots and AI isn’t replacing jobs, but replacing loneliness?

In this episode, I’m joined by Andrew Kiguel, CEO of Realbotix, the company building what might be the most realistic humanoid robots in the world.

Andrew explains why Realbotix isn’t focused on robots that walk, cook, or do backflips, but on something far more human: connection, companionship, and emotional wellbeing.

We explore:

- Why companionship may be the biggest market in AI

- Whether AI relationships can be “real”

- The ethics of human-like robots and emotional attachment

- Loneliness, mental health, and ageing populations

- Why ultra-realistic design matters more than raw intelligence

- The difference between assistive technology and replacement

- Where the line is between innovation, discomfort, and progress

Andrew also shares his journey from investment banking and Bitcoin mining to humanoid robotics, and why he believes we’re still years away from a true Westworld, but much closer than people think to robots becoming part of everyday life.

This is not a conversation about sci-fi fantasies.

It’s about what it really means to be human in an age of intelligent machines.

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Interviews that might just change your life. And if not…? You’ll probably enjoy them anyway.

While we're all trying to be better versions of ourselves, this podcast asks: 'what's truly possible?'

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment and academia.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

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