A humanoid robotic assistant brings artificial intelligence to reception desks
Helen R. Pilcher, Nature (translation: Dikla Oren)
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A cheeky and chatty robot got a job as a university receptionist. Starting next week, the lovable robot with long eyelashes will meet and greet guests at Kings College in London.
Inkha (Interactive Neurotic King Head Assembly) will direct guests and provide information about events. Like receptionists around the world, she will also comment on the weather and the style of clothing used at the event.
The sociable robot was built by graduate students in the mechanical engineering department. She is just a head and shoulders on a pyramid-shaped base, but her eyes, mouth, head and neck move in response to actions. Hidden cameras and infrared sensors detect movement and ambient color.
Powered by eight motors and a small laptop computer, Inka leans forward toward interesting people and recoils from sudden movements. She chats in the company of people and gets bored when there is nothing to do.
About a third of admissions inquiries include requests for directions on how to get to places, says Anne Ainsley, the college's director of admissions. Inka will answer inquiries through a touch screen and direct people to their destination.
It would be more cost-effective to hire Inka, who works 24 hours around the clock, than other receptionists, Ainslie says. "We look forward to working with her," she adds.
Also, be careful around her: if she doesn't like your clothes, she'll ask you if you dressed in the dark. If she's tired, she'll ask for a cup of tea, says Matthew Walker, one of her creators and an independent animatronics consultant.
Inca's CV is short. Her previous job—chatting with visitors to a mobile science exhibit—lasted just seven days. However, her job as a university receptionist is not fixed in time. "We just hope her engines don't stop working," he said.
Link to the original article in Nature
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