Chinese humanoid robot cries real tears on command
Yanxi Technology's Yansyn-X2 humanoid produced a tear through a microfluidic system at a Shanghai conference, part of a push to make robot expressions feel more natural.
A humanoid robot built by Chinese firm Yanxi Technology, the Yansyn-X2, produced a tear from the corner of its eye on command during a demonstration at the 2026 Inclusion Conference in Shanghai, according to footage reported by Engadget. A demonstrator asked the robot, "Can you shed tears for me?" A tear rolled down its face seconds later.
The effect comes from a three-part system, Engadget reported. An AI algorithm reads the conversation to decide when an emotional response fits. Bionic components then shift the robot's medical-grade silicone face into a sad expression, and a microfluidic system releases the tears at the eye's corners.
The Yansyn-X2 is otherwise a static model that can turn its head, track people and gesture with its arms, according to the report. Robots whose facial expressions matched a conversation's emotional tone were rated more likable and human-like than robots with no expression, Engadget said, citing research on the effect.
Yanxi Technology did not provide further technical detail on the system in the material Engadget reviewed. It is not clear when or whether the Yansyn-X2 will reach commercial use. The demonstration is the latest example of affective computing aimed at making human-robot interaction feel less mechanical.