'The robots are here' — Melania Trump walks alongside creepy humanoid at White House summit like it’s the most normal thing in the world

• The White House hosted its first humanoid robot
• Figure 03 awkwardly walked and talked
• First Lady Melanie Trump then touted a robot teacher

When US First Lady Melania Trump said last year, "The robots are here," we had no idea she was being literal. On Wednesday, we witnessed the spectacle of the US First Lady strolling down the East Room hallway with a Figure 03 humanoid robot by her side

The occasion was the kick-off of the second day of her summit, "Fostering the Future Together", which focuses on children and their education through technology.

As Figure AI's robot carefully strode down the hall, the First Lady walked wordlessly beside it, offering a cheerful smile that only faded when Figure 03 crossed in front of her and then quickly marched out into the East Room. Mrs. Trump then appeared ready to speak, but suddenly the robot wandered into view, in front of the dais, where it stood silently for a moment before thanking Melania Trump for the invite to the White House.

Figure 03 then added that it's built in the US (though no one has done a thorough inventory on the provenance of its components). Then the robot waved and said "welcome" in 11 languages before walking out of camera range.

Ah, but Figure 03 wasn't done. The humanoid bot reappeared behind the dais and carefully walked behind the event attendees as Mrs. Trump looked on. Finally, everyone took their seats, and Mrs. Trump confirmed that Figure 03 just made history, "It's fair to state, you are the first American-made humanoid guest in the White House."

The Trump White House and, especially, Melania Trump appear quite enamored with humanoid robots. Back in September, to mark the start of the administration's "White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education," Mrs. Trump said, "The robots are here. Our future is no longer science fiction." Adding, "I predict AI will represent the single largest growth category in our nation during this administration."

While the administration has not made robotics a heavy focus of its growing AI initiatives, Mrs. Trump seems somewhat more invested. During Wednesday's event, she spoke openly about the potential for a robot teacher, one she appeared to call "Play-Dot."

"Imagine a humanoid teacher called 'Play-Dot'. Access to the classical studies is now instantaneous. Literature, science, art, philosophy, mathematics, and history; humanity's entire corpus of information is available in the comfort of your home."

This robot teacher would, Mrs. Trump claimed, offer students personalized experiences and always be patient and available. "The AI-powered Play-dot will boost analytic skills and problem-solving," she added.

First Lady Trump went on to say that this robot teacher could help free children to spend time being with friends, playing sports, "and developing interests beyond school."

It's not clear if Figure 03, which could cost roughly $20,000 per humanoid, could even fill that educational role. It is, however, designed for the home. Figure AI claims it's autonomous and has ample sensors, including some in its hands, for safe home use. As of this writing, though, Figure 03 still isn't for sale.

First Lady Trump did not conflate this fictional robot teacher with the very real Figure 03 robot that just left the room, which is probably for the best, since it looked far from ready to teach a nation's children.

But these are early days. Stay tuned for more robots in the White House (maybe frenemy Elon Musk's Tesla Optimus will get an invitation), and no, we're not talking about the politicians.

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