Customer service workers mistaken for robots must prove humanity through incompetence. You're calling customer service frustrated with automated systems. A person answers. Calm voice. Well-spoken. Professional. You don't believe they're human. You start issuing voice commands trying to skip to real person. Make payment. Agent. The voice says hold on, no, hi, you're speaking to Mary, I'm a human being, let's have a conversation about this. You still don't believe it. You test them. Spell this word. Answer this question. Prove you're not AI. Workers call this being captured when customers refuse to accept their humanity and demand verification.

 

The confusion comes from robots getting too realistic. Chinese company Droid Up unveiled Moia with doll-like appearance preventing immediate visual confusion. But realistic nuances trick other senses. She maintains eye contact. Human gait. And human body temperature. Standing next to her, you unconsciously feel heat radiating from her body. Rest of your senses get fooled even while eyes see obvious robot. Industry response: well-spoken customer service workers now learning speech patterns to sound more real rather than human being. They deliberately perform worse to convince callers they're people.

 

Bacardi bought Boston Dynamics robot dogs for Scottish whiskey warehouses. Dogs roam autonomously sniffing for ethanol leaks in aging barrels. Three years to turn whiskey into Scotch. Leaking casks lose all alcohol through evaporation. Robot dogs detect excessive ethanol preventing expensive losses. And LEGO released orange tuxedo cat by Canadian designer Chris McVeigh built for hacking. Mix black and orange sets to create custom calico cats.

 

Topics: customer service robot confusion, humanoid robot body temperature, proving human identity, robot dog ethanol detection, LEGO hackable sets

 

GUEST: Kris Abel | realkrisabel.com, @realkrisabel


Originally aired on 2026-02-03

Customer service workers mistaken for robots must prove humanity through incompetence. You're calling customer service frustrated with automated systems. A person answers. Calm voice. Well-spoken. Professional. You don't believe they're human. You start issuing voice commands trying to skip to real person. Make payment. Agent. The voice says hold on, no, hi, you're speaking to Mary, I'm a human being, let's have a conversation about this. You still don't believe it. You test them. Spell this word. Answer this question. Prove you're not AI. Workers call this being captured when customers refuse to accept their humanity and demand verification.
&nbsp;
The confusion comes from robots getting too realistic. Chinese company Droid Up unveiled Moia with doll-like appearance preventing immediate visual confusion. But realistic nuances trick other senses. She maintains eye contact. Human gait. And human body temperature. Standing next to her, you unconsciously feel heat radiating from her body. Rest of your senses get fooled even while eyes see obvious robot. Industry response: well-spoken customer service workers now learning speech patterns to sound more real rather than human being. They deliberately perform worse to convince callers they're people.
&nbsp;
Bacardi bought Boston Dynamics robot dogs for Scottish whiskey warehouses. Dogs roam autonomously sniffing for ethanol leaks in aging barrels. Three years to turn whiskey into Scotch. Leaking casks lose all alcohol through evaporation. Robot dogs detect excessive ethanol preventing expensive losses. And LEGO released orange tuxedo cat by Canadian designer Chris McVeigh built for hacking. Mix black and orange sets to create custom calico cats.
&nbsp;
Topics: customer service robot confusion, humanoid robot body temperature, proving human identity, robot dog ethanol detection, LEGO hackable sets
&nbsp;
GUEST: Kris Abel | realkrisabel.com, @realkrisabel
 Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-02-03

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.