Honor introduced its Robot Phone concept at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, providing an initial close-up of the device. Honor refers to the Robot Phone as a “new species” of smartphone that integrates “embodied AI interaction with robot-grade motion and cinematic imaging capabilities.” However, the concept still remains somewhat ambiguous.

In reality, it is primarily a smartphone, showcasing a robotic arm that emerges from the back, featuring a 200-megapixel camera. This arm functions as a gimbal, granting the camera the ability to move freely in three-dimensional space. This feature could prove advantageous for photography and videography, but Honor is also concentrating on utilizing the camera/eye to bestow personality upon the phone, enabling it to nod or execute gestures, effectively transforming it into a kind of robot.

The gimbal arm necessitated the creation of the world’s smallest micro motor. Practical applications include video calls where the camera eye tracks the user, monitoring infants, and even dancing to music. Some devices were observed nodding gently as if breathing, while others interacted with the crowd, responding to inquiries with nods or shakes.

During a demonstration featuring Honor’s inaugural humanoid robot, the Robot Phone engaged with its human-sized counterpart, aligning with Honor’s vision of interlinking its gadget ecosystem through AI.

Although we couldn’t physically handle the device, it seemed nearly finalized. Honor asserts it has engineered the world’s smallest micro motor for the robotic arm, which appeared quite animated, though the unfolding time was not showcased.

There is no information regarding when the Robot Phone will be available for sale. For the time being, it stands as a captivating smartphone concept, but additional time is required to evaluate the practicality of its robotic features.