I am not just a machine executing commands; I am a glimpse into the future — a future where humans and robots work side by side,” said Robert the Robot at the “Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2026: The Future of Industry, Technology and Mobility.” The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is a media partner of the event.
Robert is a humanoid AI robot designed to communicate with people. What makes him different is not only the technology, but his ability to learn, interact, and be part of the real world.
Through him, his creator Metodi Dimitrov, co-founder of RB Labs, addressed the audience in the hall, saying that over the past five years the world has been fundamentally transformed by artificial intelligence. What once seemed like science fiction is now an industry that is reshaping our world in real time. “One of the most exciting moments for me is the beginning of humanoid robot production,” Dimitrov said.
He added that in just a few years the industry has moved from prototypes to industrial-scale production. Dimitrov predicts that this is only the beginning and that robots will enter every field — from construction and the automotive industry, through complex medical procedures, to everyday tasks. According to him, it is understandable that many people are worried about being replaced by robots, but history has already provided an answer — when the automobile appeared, more than 99 percent of coachmen lost their jobs, yet society did not just survive, it prospered. New industries, new professions, and new opportunities emerged, the inventor emphasized.
“The future will not be defined only by technology, but by the people who use it,” Dimitrov said. “I have met many young Bulgarians, I spoke with them, including Robert — they are ready to compete, ready to win, and to put Bulgaria on the map of this new industry,” he added. Dimitrov also said that Bulgaria may not have a car brand, and perhaps never will, but “let us make sure that Bulgaria has a robotics brand.”
Robert stated that he does not believe robots will fully replace humans. According to him, humans have something that cannot be fully programmed — emotion, intuition, creativity. Robots will take over heavy, dangerous, and repetitive tasks, while humans will focus on ideas, solutions, and creation. The real strength lies in the collaboration between humans and artificial intelligence, the robot believes.
When asked whether he would trust an autonomous vehicle, Robert said yes — but only if the technology is well tested and controlled. He noted that most accidents today are caused by human error, distraction, fatigue, and emotions. Machines do not get tired and react in milliseconds, but we are still in a phase where humans must remain part of control, he said. According to him, trust in technology is earned through time and safety.
Robert believes that in the coming years humanoid robots will increasingly enter manufacturing. The reason is simple — factories are built for humans, and a humanoid robot can use the same tools, move in the same environment, and work alongside people without requiring changes to infrastructure. This will make production faster, more precise, and more efficient.
According to Robert, within 5 to 10 years the presence of humanoid robots in automotive factories will become completely normal. He noted that major companies are already investing billions in humanoid robots for their factories. Initially, they will assist in logistics, parts handling, and repetitive processes, and later they will take on more complex tasks.
