Teddy Warner, a 19-year-old robotics innovator, is challenging the status quo of human-machine interaction. His startup, Intempus, develops technology to retrofit industrial and service robots with simulated emotional states—using biometric data like sweat, heart rate, and body temperature—to make their movements and decisions more intuitive to humans.
Warner's fascination with robotics began in his family's machinist shop, where he honed technical skills during high school. Now, he's addressing a gap he identified while working at AI lab Midjourney: AI models struggle with spatial reasoning because they're trained on robots lacking human-like physiological feedback. "Current robots skip the 'physiological state' step that humans use to process environments," Warner explains. "Without emotions like stress or curiosity, robots can't interpret the world as we do."
From Polygraphs to Robotics
Intempus' approach emerged from unconventional experiments. Initial attempts using fMRI brain scans failed, but Warner found promise in polygraph technology, which detects emotional arousal through sweat. By training AI models on this data, he enabled robots to simulate basic emotional responses. The system has since expanded to track heart rate, skin temperature, and microvascular blood flow, creating a multi-layered "emotional profile" for machines.
This biometric integration allows robots to communicate via kinetic cues—subtle shifts in posture, arm movements, or speed—mirroring how humans subconsciously interpret body language. "Even animals rely on movement, not facial expressions, to gauge intent," Warner notes. "Robots should speak that universal language."
Progress and Partnerships
Since its September 2024 launch, Intempus has focused on retrofitting existing robots for sectors like healthcare and logistics. Early adopters include seven enterprise clients testing prototypes designed to reduce workplace friction. For example, a warehouse robot might slow its movements when "stressed" by an obstacle, signaling confusion to nearby workers.
Backed by Peter Thiel's fellowship program, which provides $200,000 to young founders, Warner operates as a solo founder but plans to hire engineers and designers. His immediate goal is user testing: "I want someone to instantly recognize a robot's joy or urgency without explanation."
Balancing Ambition and Practicality
While critics question the necessity of emotional robots, Warner argues that relatable machines improve safety and collaboration. Data from these interactions could also refine AI training, offering insights into human decision-making processes. However, challenges persist—interpreting biometric signals without cultural bias, ensuring privacy in data collection, and scaling hardware modifications cost-effectively.
Warner remains undeterred, envisioning a future where Intempus designs its own emotionally intelligent robots. "This isn't about making machines 'alive,'" he clarifies. "It's about creating a shared language so humans and AI can coexist seamlessly." Over the next six months, real-world trials will test whether simulated physiology can make robots feel less like tools and more like partners.