Local company to open Turkey’s first humanoid robot facility

KONYA - Doğan News Agency

DHA photo

Local software development company Akınsoft has said it will establish Turkey’s first humanoid robot manufacturing facility in the Central Anatolian province of Konya. 

The company has produced three humanoid models dubbed “Akıncı,” or “Raider” in English, and three advanced humanoid models dubbed “Ada,” or “Island” in English, which can serve as waiters. 

The robots’ basic forms were designed to resemble the human body. 

The foundation for the facility will be laid on Dec. 26, said Akınsoft Chairman Özgür Akın. 

He noted mass production of both the Ada and Akıncı models as well as a new model, dubbed “Ada Hostess,” which will be able to sell tickets. 

Akın added the company will invest around 20 million Turkish Liras for the project. 

“We launched our robotics laboratories in 2009. The Akıncı model’s production started in 2011 after a series of research and development [R&D] activities. We created an advanced model, the Ada model, in 2013. Our robots now serve in a series of cafes and the Robotics Center. They serve foods to customers and communicate with them… Our Ada models can carry five kilos of food,” he said. 

The new planned model will provide services in airports, bus terminals and shopping malls as well as movie theaters, he said. 

Akın noted the facility, which will be the first in its kind in Turkey, will be online at the end of 2016.