Robot Developed with Capability to Maintain Constant Eye Contact
Maintaining eye contact is something that we sometimes find difficult. In a conversation, we usually would find something to keep the focus on, and maintaining unbroken eye contact is something that we don’t want to do. Well, right now a robot has been developed that can do just that.
Shown at the SIGGRAPH in Vancouver, the Stimulative Emotional Expression Robot is something that should be seen. Created by Takayuki Todo, this small robot with a humanoid head is fitted on to a neck that responds to the person who is nearest to it and imitates their expression by maintaining eye contact.
Though maintaining eye contact is something that might sound simple for a robot to do, that is, in fact, something that is very complex to pull off or execute. At present, the robot alternates between two modes. An imitative one and one with eye contact. Both of these modes depend on the camera that is fitted on to the eye, and it is dependent on that to recognize and track the features of ones face in real time.
Two Modes
Instead, many want for a human interaction when using technology. And this technology can deliver just that. Intelligence with a human touch. The head as a delicate, childlike sculpting that reminds one of a child’s face. If the robot had Artificial Intelligence built in, then one could even have long, personal conversations with it too.
Right now, the only purpose of this robot is as an art project. But the technology and technicalities behind it are very complex and lengthy. This technology can also adopt the technology of artificial intelligence, and we are sure that it will be for the good.
Better Intelligence
These days we interact with artificial intelligence only via sound or text. But if this technology is incorporated with increased artificial intelligence, then the way we interact with digital smart assistants would change dramatically.
Technological developments are all showing that smart assistants are going to be a daily thing, and when incorporated with a human touch, like a humanoid head, then it would be much more comfortable for us to interact with them.
