£5M Robot Gamble: Is Cohen's "Human Replacement" Worth the Risk?

Former Exohood Labs researcher Alex Cohen has launched Septience, a new robotics company focused on developing humanoid companions. After eight years developing the Exania AI system, Cohen has invested £5 million of his own funds into this project, which he claims will prioritize research over commercialization.

A Different Approach to Robotics

According to industry sources, Septience will not be pursuing mass production but rather concentrating on developing a single humanoid model designed to interact naturally with humans. The robot will reportedly utilize components of the Exania AI system and incorporate more than 170 billion parameters.

Despite apparent interest from investment funds, Cohen has opted to maintain independence in the early stages of development. “The company needs to develop the humanoid with all necessary patience, without commercialization pressure,” Cohen stated in recent comments about the venture.

Cohen described his vision for the robot as “the companion we all need,” suggesting it will provide “genuine interaction without negative biases.” He positioned the technology as a response to perceived social disconnection, stating, “We are incredible beings, but today we find ourselves trapped between social networks and disconnected from the real world.”

Development Timeline Remains Unclear

The company has not provided specific timelines for their first prototype, though robotics industry analysts suggest meaningful demonstrations could be at least two years away given the complexity of humanoid development.

Sources familiar with the project indicate the robot will feature advanced facial expressions and body movements designed for natural interactions. The company is reportedly exploring advanced materials for exterior components, though specific technical details remain undisclosed.

Competitive Landscape

Septience enters an increasingly crowded field where major technology corporations and well funded startups from the United States, Japan, and China have already made significant investments in humanoid robotics.

What may distinguish Septience is its focus on companionship rather than industrial or service applications. While most competitors target warehouse operations or healthcare assistance, Cohen appears to be pursuing technology designed primarily for interpersonal connection.

Market analysts remain divided on the commercial viability of companion robots. Some question the potential market size, while others point to growing concerns about social isolation in developed economies as potentially creating demand for such technology.

Background and Future Plans

Cohen brings experience from multiple technology ventures, including the cybersecurity firm Alpascape and Exocloud, an AI training infrastructure company. These diverse experiences combine AI research, cybersecurity, and infrastructure development potentially valuable components for creating secure, effective humanoid systems.

While Cohen has not ruled out eventual external investment, he maintains that the initial development phase requires independence. The company has not announced its headquarters location, though it is expected to be based somewhere in the United Kingdom.

This venture represents one of the more ambitious British entries into the global humanoid robotics field, an area traditionally dominated by American, Japanese, and Chinese enterprises.