Robo-Companion

In the heaps and loads of technological advancement humans today, have successfully been able to manufacture different types of robots and artificial intelligence but how far have we come?

It’s time when we get introduced to the human companion house robots, serving us various different purposes.

JIBO

One of the newest social robots for the home which watches listens and learns and like any other living organism, it is powered by artificial intelligence. It has two cameras and 6 microphones attached to it. JIBO is able to detect any kind of presence in its surrounding and can respond to it. With its 2 cameras, one for taking images and other for depth sensing and facial recognition, it can memorize up to 15 faces. It is portable and has an inbuilt power supply. It can play music and its movements are fluidic which gives it a humane touch.

Although as fascinating as JIBO sounds it has its list of cons too. JIBO fails to be a true “robot” companion as it has a mechanical voice and is unable to maintain even a simple conversation. While it can perform various tasks, but it can only perform very basic tasks which are far shorthanded compared to today’s AI standards set by companies like Google and Apple. Adding to it the 900 USD tag makes it questionable.

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ANKI Vector

A second-generation friendly robot friend developed by ANKI, Vector is a massive improvement in today’s technological world. This is a stunning piece of engineering masterpiece which has four microphones attached to it and having its own natural language processing makes its interaction almost sound natural. Being able to detect its own power level it can go and charge itself on its charging dock. It can perform various set of tasks as well and can show human emotions which makes it a lot more friendly than robotic. It comes in with facial recognition hence it can detect recognize and detect people and can call them out by name. Vector has its own personality and a body language. It can also perform a ‘fist bump’ with its tractor-like arm making it a fun robot friend anyone can have coming in at a price of 250 USD.

Sony Aibo Robot Dog

A 3000 USD metal dog which might sound like a disappointment at first but packs a lot more. It has a camera built in its nose which helps it in facial recognition while one on its back which helps it find it’s charging dock. It comes with an additional bone called the ‘Aibone’ which can used for making the robot do various kinds of tricks. The user can store tricks in its memory like, rolling, barking etc. Aibo shows very dog-

like features hence making it very interactive. This was introduced as a limitededition product.

Sophia

This finally today has resulted in the creation of one of the finest and the very first robot which got the citizenship of Saudi Arabia. It’s none other than Sophia, the most human-like robot activated on 14 th February 2016 which made a public appearance for the first time in March 2016. Cameras are attached within Sophia's eyes combined with computer algorithms allowing her to see. It can follow faces, sustain eye contact, and recognize individuals. It is able to process speech and have conversations using a natural language subsystem. Around January 2018 Sophia was upgraded with functional legs and the ability to walk. Sophia has been able to pass many high-class interviews too.

The rigorous application of Machine Learning and AI in today’s world has become a major game changer in the development of such interactive human-friendly robot companions which day by day is becoming closer to us.

We are quickly proceeding to a future of androids with massive developments in the AI field. Would having an android friend be a Revolution or be Detrimental to our society? Can we look forward to a future of Humans and Androids having symbiotic relationships?