Man builds female robot at home, in image of Hollywood star

A Hong Kong man has built from scratch his own female robot modelled after a Hollywood actress.

According to a Reuters report, product and graphic designer Ricky Ma spent more than AU$65,000 and 18 months building the life-sized android on the balcony of his home.

"I figured I should just do it when the timing is right and realise my dream," Ma told Reuters. "If I realise my dream, I will have no regrets in life."

The amateur, with no prior engineering knowledge, had to study complex new concepts such as electromechanics and programming to build the robot, which is meant to resemble a Hollywood star that he declines to name.

Named Mark 1, the humanoid has long dark blonde hair and wears a grey skirt and a white crop top. The machine is capable of "simple movements" of its limbs and head, as well as smiling and responding to voice commands.

In response to the comment "Mark 1, you are so beautiful", the robot takes on a "natural-seeming smile" and responds with "Hehe, thank you."

Reuters reported that more than 70 percent of Mark 1's body was created using 3D printing technology. A three-dimensional skeleton holds up the humanoid under its silicone skin.

During construction, Ma told Reuters he struggled to find like-minded people in Hong Kong that were as interested as he was in humanoid building: "A lot of people would say things like, 'Are you stupid? This takes a lot of money. Do you even know how to do it? It's really hard.'"

Ma hopes the prototype will catch the attention of an investor, which will lead to further building.