AI16z and Eliza Wakes Up Launch $420,000 Physical Robot

Eliza Wakes Up is partnering with AI16z, the onchain hedge fund and AI agent framework developer to launch a 180cm (5’9”) robot.

Interested users can pre-order a life-sized physical version of Eliza, AI16z’s flagship agent, for $420,000. Eliza Wakes Up will be embedded with ELIZA-agent capabilities as well as emotional intelligence, an advanced conversational AI, and physical capabilities such as “cutting cigars, serving drinks, and even running an 8-minute mile,” according to the website.

The announcement came from a new social media page representing an Eliza-specific branch of AI16z, known as Eliza Studios and is spearheaded by the Eliza Wakes Up project. The project is a collaboration with AI16z as its agential framework provider, robotics integration group Old World Labs, as well as digital investment group Ryze Labs and its AI subsidiary, AICombinator.

Shaw, the anonymous founder of AI16z, addressed the launch on X and said, “You probably think this is some crazy sci-fi fantasy, but it's really not. It's an existing high-end OEM robot with a custom casing and face.”

Despite the surprise announcement, the AI16z token is down 13% in the last 24 hours.

Michael Rinko, a contributor at digital research group Delphi, conveyed disappointment in the announcement and said, “Don’t love the $420,000 ai16z robot. Seems like a flashy distraction. Solana gave away free smartphones and is still grinding for pmf. But we think a half mil sex robot will work?”

[UPDATED JAN. 17 11am EST to clarify Eliza Wakes Up is a separate entity from AI16z]