Russian Robotics Company Offers $200,000 for Rights to One Person’s Face and Voice
A Russian robotics company has sparked global attention—and some ethical debate—after announcing a highly unusual offer: $200,000 USD in exchange for the lifetime rights to one individual’s face and voice for use in their next generation of humanoid robots.
The company, which has not yet been publicly named due to contractual negotiations, reportedly plans to use the selected person’s likeness as the default appearance for a new line of customer service and assistant robots.
These robots are expected to operate in hotels, shopping centers, airports, and other public spaces.
According to insiders, the offer includes the permanent use of the person’s facial structure, expressions, and voice tone, which would be replicated using advanced 3D modeling and AI voice synthesis. Once selected, the person would have no legal claim over how or where their likeness is used within the robots.
Reactions to the announcement have been mixed. Some see it as an innovative step forward in realistic robot design, while others are raising serious concerns about privacy, consent, and the long-term implications of selling one’s identity.
“This is more than just modeling,” said a digital ethics expert. “It’s about giving away your face and voice to machines that may operate for decades. What happens if the robots are misused or involved in controversial situations?”
Despite the concerns, the robotics firm reports receiving thousands of inquiries from interested individuals around the world, many citing financial need or fascination with the idea of becoming the face of the future.
As technology continues to blur the lines between human and machine, this story raises a crucial question: how much is your identity really worth—and would you sell it?
