How we verify

The Reality Mark

The Reality Mark is our promise: for every robot we say whether it’s real, teleoperated or staged, and how we checked.

REAL · AUTÓNOMO REAL / AUTONOMOUS

The robot acts autonomously, with no human driving it. Verified on continuous video or logs.

TELEOPERADO TELEOPERATED

A human remotely controls the robot. Useful, but not autonomy.

PUESTA EN ESCENA STAGED

The demo is edited, rehearsed or rigged to look like more than it is.

This is where I stop joking. If the numbers don’t add up, I say so, even when it stings.

The protocol, in 4 steps

  1. 1We find the longest uncut recording that exists.
  2. 2We check for cables, off-camera operators or teleoperation.
  3. 3We cross-check logs, third parties and the company itself.
  4. 4We assign the verdict. Nothing is “real” by default.