A recent technology expo held at Kish Inox sparked widespread online discussion after its much-publicised “humanoid robots” were identified as human performers dressed in elaborate costumes rather than advanced robotic creations.
Read More: Commerce minister inaugurates FoodAg expo featuring 500 exhibitors in Karachi
Footage from a cybersecurity booth went viral, showing a male and female performer clad in patterned jumpsuits and metallic-style makeup, mimicking robotic movement with slow, calculated gestures. Their presentation included scripted lines loaded with technical jargon, further suggesting a high-tech demonstration.
Iran showcased its “robotics” at the Kish Inox Tech Expo 2025, but there were no real robots
Instead of “advanced humanoid robots”, the presentation featured human performers in binary-pattern bodysuits and goggles pretending to be robots. pic.twitter.com/YsmO6fu3UB
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 26, 2025
Social media users, however, quickly picked up on details that contradicted the robot claims. Viewers noted natural skin tones around the eyes, subtle human expressions and makeup textures that revealed the performers’ true identity. These observations led to a wave of online speculation and humour, questioning the authenticity of the expo’s showcase.
Hilarious!
The Islamist regime in Iran showcased humans in cheap robot costumes with flimsy makeup as “humanoid robots” at its Tech Expo, and it immediately became the subject of ridicule on social media.
At the 2025 Kish Invex Tech Expo, human performers in low-quality… pic.twitter.com/IUnezmn2me
— Shayan News (@ShayanNews) November 26, 2025
Following the online debate, expo representatives clarified the situation. They confirmed that the individuals on stage were indeed performers hired by one of the booths to deliver a short theatrical act. The expo never claimed the performers were real robots, nor was the display intended to represent functional artificial intelligence technology.
View this post on Instagram
According to organisers, the staged performance was meant purely as an engaging marketing element to attract visitors and promote the booth’s cyber-related services. While not an AI demonstration, the act succeeded in drawing a large audience — both in person and online — inadvertently boosting the event’s visibility.
Read More: Pakistan, Iran launch new push to hit $10bn trade
The incident has since become a talking point across social platforms, highlighting the fine line between creative tech showcasing and public misinterpretation. Despite the confusion, the expo maintained that its primary purpose remained intact: promoting innovation and technological creativity from Iran’s growing digital sector.