There's a robotics company willing to give you a whopping $200.000 for your face. Or rather, to obtain (forever) the image rights to your face. And yes, I forgot, your voice too. The somewhat disturbing "contest" will reward the lucky one chosen, who will lend his features to a robot that should be launched in 2023.
Here is Promobot's offer, directly from its press release:
We are looking for a face for a humanoid robot assistant who will work in hotels, shopping malls and other crowded places. The company is ready to pay $200.000 to someone willing to transfer perpetual rights to use their face
It's a bit like living forever. Let's say.
Promobot is taking into consideration people of all genders and races over the age of 25, and this is already a first step. If you are under this age you cannot participate. Another requirement, I think more important, is to have a "kind and friendly" face. How are you doing?
If your answer is “good!” you could become a robot waiter, or a corporate supervisor, or who knows what else. Sorry: a "thing" with your face and your voice would do all this. Something similar to what an Israeli startup called Hour One did (but to create a "virtual avatar"). which I talked about here.
Promobot: do we have ethical doubts? I ask.
It seems that Promobot's "announcement" is functional to an order received from one of its clients, an American company which, they say, "provides solutions to airports, shopping centers and retail stores". All places where the facial recognition is now common: these robots should also represent a "human face" (what a paradox) that reassures the public about this procedure.
What can I say: Promobot did not respond to a request for comment on exactly how these robots will be used, or whether the person with the “winning” face will be notified about their potential uses, but I will update the post if I know more.
