Robot receptionists are now a reality at this Tokyo department store thanks to Toshiba - where "Aiko Chihira" (the Robot) through interactive systems engineering, deals with people who are interested in inquiring anything from where are the women's footwear, to can you please indicate where the nearest cash machine is.
The system uses technology developed by android pioneer Hiroshi Ishiguro, from the Osaka University of Intelligent Robotics Laboratory. Aiko it seems "interacts" with the customers by reading out programmed scripts, but soon will be getting upgrades in the languages she speaks.
I don't know what's more hilarious about the article, the fact that one of the "real" receptionists are giving an opinion about how the robot's smile is very stiff, (you go girl, protect your job post!) or the fact that the store manager believes that this is a better user friendly interaction for customers, vs using a touchscreen panel for general information! All the same, Judgement Day, here we come!
The system uses technology developed by android pioneer Hiroshi Ishiguro, from the Osaka University of Intelligent Robotics Laboratory. Aiko it seems "interacts" with the customers by reading out programmed scripts, but soon will be getting upgrades in the languages she speaks.
I don't know what's more hilarious about the article, the fact that one of the "real" receptionists are giving an opinion about how the robot's smile is very stiff, (you go girl, protect your job post!) or the fact that the store manager believes that this is a better user friendly interaction for customers, vs using a touchscreen panel for general information! All the same, Judgement Day, here we come!
