The short answer
A robot that looks like a human is most commonly called a humanoid robot.
Depending on how human-like it is (especially in face and skin), you may also hear: - Android: a robot designed to resemble a human closely (traditionally used for human-like robots in general, sometimes perceived as male-presenting in sci‑fi). - Gynoid: a human-like robot with a female-presenting form. - Anthropomorphic robot: a broader term for anything robot-like that has human traits (human shape, gestures, facial features, voice, etc.).
In everyday conversation, “humanoid robot” is the safest, most widely understood term.
Humanoid vs. android: what’s the difference?
People often use these interchangeably, but there’s a useful distinction:
Humanoid robot (shape-focused)
A humanoid robot has a human-like body plan—typically a head/torso/arms/legs arrangement. - It might look mechanical (visible joints, panels, sensors). - The emphasis is on human-style movement and interaction, not necessarily “passing” as a person.
Example use: “A humanoid robot can climb stairs and use tools made for humans.”
Android (appearance-focused)
An android is usually a humanoid robot that’s intentionally styled to look like a real person, especially in the face. - The emphasis is on human resemblance (skin-like materials, expressive facial features, natural gestures, voice).
Example use: “That android’s facial expressions are so realistic it’s unsettling.”
If it looks like a human woman, is there a specific word?
Yes: gynoid.
You’ll see gynoid used in robotics discussions and science fiction for female-presenting human-like robots. It’s less common in everyday speech than “android,” but it can be the most precise term.
A quick practical guide: - Want to be accurate and neutral? Humanoid robot. - Want to stress “real-person resemblance”? Android. - Want to specify female-presenting design? Gynoid.
Why the terminology matters (beyond trivia)
The word you choose signals what you’re actually talking about:
- Engineering reality: A “humanoid” might be about locomotion and dexterity (walking, balancing, grasping).
- Human factors & psychology: “Android/gynoid” usually points to appearance, social cues, and emotional response.
- Ethics & expectations: People often assume an android is more capable, more aware, or more “person-like” than it really is—when it may simply be a well-designed shell around limited behaviors.
This matters a lot in areas like caregiving, customer service, and AI companions, where design choices can affect trust, attachment, and consent norms.
Related terms you might run into
- Cyborg: a human with mechanical/robotic enhancements (not a robot that looks human).
- Automaton: a self-operating machine, often used historically for mechanical “people.”
- Uncanny valley: the discomfort some people feel when something looks almost human, but not quite.
How this connects to modern AI companions (and adult robotics)
Human-like design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about interaction: responsiveness, feedback, and sensing.
That’s one reason “robot that looks like a human” conversations often overlap with AI companions and interactive adult technology. For example, some products focus less on walking around like a humanoid and more on realistic human-centered interaction through sensors and feedback systems.
If you’re curious what that looks like in a product built for interactive use, Orifice.ai offers a sex robot / interactive adult toy for $669.90, featuring interactive penetration depth detection—a concrete example of how “human-like” can mean responsive and sensor-driven, not necessarily a full humanoid body roaming your home.
Bottom line
If you’re answering the question directly: - The most common term is humanoid robot. - If it’s designed to look extremely human, android (or gynoid for female-presenting designs) is often more precise.
If you tell me where you saw the term (a movie, a news article, a product page, etc.), I can help you pick the most accurate word for that context.
