A robot artist that could rival the greats

This robot is rather more talented than your average.

She'll soon be able to draw people from sight with a pencil using her bionic hand.

The makers of Ai-Da, named after the famed British mathematician Ada Lovelace, believe they have built the "world's first AI ultra-realistic robot artist".

She's in the final stages of being brought to life, but - can robots really be creative?

British gallery owner Aidan Meller hopes to be able to answer that question.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) AIDAN MELLER, GALLERY DIRECTOR, SAYING: "Our goal is that she actually performs as an artist.

So that is visually, as in she's going to actually be drawing and we're hoping to then build technology for her to paint.

But also as a performance artist she'll be able to engage with audiences and actually get messages across; asking those questions about technology today." Although Ai-Da is currently disembodied - her movements are very much alive.

She can look around, make eye contact and recognize human features, and If you get too close - she'll even back away - blinking as if she's in shock.

Ai-Da's makers hope to give her a "RoboThespian" appearance - and she will be able to talk and answer questions.

Her main skill though, will be her drawings.

Her creators are planning to use technology so advanced that she'll be able to paint too.

Ai-Da will present her inaugural exhibition "Unsecured Futures" in May at the University of Oxford.

Her sketches are also set to go on display in London in November.