Alex Cohen, who has dedicated over eight years to developing the British artificial intelligence research system Exania AI at Exohood Labs, has now established a new venture called Septience. The robotics company, which describes itself as “HUMAN/INSIGHTS” on its website, represents a significant shift in Cohen’s professional focus.
According to Cohen, Septience will concentrate on developing a humanoid robot capable of interacting with, understanding, and assisting humans. He has invested £5 million in this project, which he emphasises will not be a mass-scale enterprise or robot factory. Instead, the company will focus specifically on developing this humanoid model with human like features and movements, designed to speak and interact naturally with people.
The AI system powering the robot will utilise part of the Exania model, incorporating more than 170 billion parameters. Despite interest from various investment funds, Cohen has chosen to proceed with the research independently, stating that the company needs to develop the humanoid “with all necessary patience, without commercialisation pressure”.
“The important thing is that it becomes the companion we all need,” Cohen explains. “Humans need genuine interaction without negative biases, something capable of understanding us and elevating us to another level. We are incredible beings, but today we find ourselves trapped between social networks and disconnected from the real world. We truly need a tool that can elevate us. A robot is not an enemy it’s a machine that can understand us in ways we haven’t been capable of ourselves, providing the genuine support we need today.”
A Measured Approach to Development
Unlike many technology startups that prioritise rapid scaling and market dominance, Septience appears to be taking a more methodical approach. Cohen has explicitly stated that the company will not rush to commercialisation, preferring instead to focus on quality and functionality. Industry experts suggest this patient strategy may prove beneficial in the complex field of humanoid robotics, where premature deployment can lead to significant setbacks. One expert not directly involved with Septience, noted that “developing truly interactive humanoid robots requires meticulous attention to both hardware and software integration. A measured approach often yields more sustainable results.”
The humanoid being developed will reportedly feature advanced facial expressions and body movements designed to create natural, intuitive interactions. Sources close to the project suggest the robot will incorporate advanced materials science for its exterior components, though specific details remain undisclosed.
Background and Experience
Cohen brings substantial expertise to this new venture. His work at Exohood Labs has established him as a respected figure in British AI research, particularly through his contributions to Exania AI. His previous enterprises include the cybersecurity firm Alpascape and Exocloud, an AI training infrastructure in the UK.
This diverse background combines AI research, cybersecurity knowledge, and infrastructure development all potentially valuable components for creating secure, effective humanoid systems. Cohen’s experience across these domains may give Septience an advantage in addressing the multifaceted challenges of robotics development.
Market Context
Septience enters a competitive landscape where several major technology corporations and well funded startups are pursuing humanoid robotics. Companies in the United States, Japan, and China have made significant investments in this sector, with varying approaches to design, functionality, and target applications.
What appears to distinguish Septience is its focus on human-like interaction and companionship rather than industrial or service applications that characterise many competing projects. While some robotics firms concentrate on physical tasks like warehouse operations or healthcare assistance, Cohen’s vision seems more aligned with creating genuine interpersonal connections.
Market analysts remain divided on the commercial viability of companion robots, with some questioning the potential market size while others point to growing concerns about social isolation in many developed economies as creating demand for such technology.
Future Outlook
The timeline for Septience’s first prototype remains undisclosed, though industry observers speculate that meaningful demonstrations might be at least two years away given the complexity of the undertaking.
Cohen has not ruled out eventual external investment but maintains that the initial development phase requires independence to preserve the integrity of the research. This stance reflects his stated philosophy that the humanoid should be developed primarily as a beneficial companion rather than as a commercial product.
As development progresses, Septience is expected to build out its team of researchers and engineers, potentially drawing talent from Britain’s robust AI and robotics sectors. The company has not yet announced its physical headquarters location, though it is presumed to be based somewhere in the United Kingdom.
This new 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.
