BigBong

Introduction

Meet NAO, an autonomous, programmable humanoid robot formerly developed by Aldebaran, a French robotics company headquartered in Paris. Acquired by the Japanese conglomerate SoftBank, NAO represents a blend of French innovation and Japanese technology. Originally only available in red and blue, I had the chance to try the latest version, NAO 6, in gray. And that’s how I ended up speaking with a robot in 4 languages!

The name NAO is truly brilliant in its simplicity and cultural significance. It cleverly combines the English word “now” with the Chinese word 脑 (“nǎo”), meaning “brain”. While I doubt the French team behind the robot’s development knew it would be acquired by a Japanese company, ‘Nao’ is also a common name in Japan, used for both boys and girls, which adds to its ingenuity!

Language Skills

NAO comes with four languages by default: English, French, Japanese, and Chinese. But it can speak up to 18 languages. You can add the following for an extra fee: Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Turkish.

As we switch between languages, I couldn’t help but notice the differences in NAO’s voice. Japanese and Chinese had a higher pitch, while French was the lowest of them all. It was amusing to hear the variations in tone and intonation across languages.

Limits & Progress

We are starting to see the emerging potential of robotics, despite their existing limitations. Indeed, while NAO demonstrates exciting capabilities, there is still room for improvement. Voice recognition, for example, is not as sophisticated as smartphone technology or recording software. And while face recognition is available, it may be improved, particularly in low-light circumstances. However, it’s worth noting that other robots from the same company, such as Pepper and Romeo, are far superior. As we continue to track breakthroughs in robotics, particularly from impressive competitors like Boston Dynamics and Tesla, we’ll be more and more astonished by the rapid pace of this technological revolution!

From Fiction to Reality

As we explore the realm of robotics and delve into discussions about robot ethics and behaviour, it’s impossible not to pay tribute to Isaac Asimov, widely regarded as the father of robots. As we explore the realm of robotics and delve into discussions about robot ethics and behaviour, it’s impossible not to pay tribute to Isaac Asimov, widely regarded as the father of robots. NAO’s recitation of these laws serves as a poignant reminder of Asimov’s visionary contributions to our understanding of human-robot interaction:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

To which NAO adds that “Robots should love humans!”

Other Abilities

Beyond its capabilities in speech recognition, facial recognition, and shape recognition, NAO can also dance and sing. But most of all, it serves as a versatile tool for education and therapy. In classrooms around the world, NAO is employed to teach coding to students of all ages. Kids can grasp the fundamentals of block coding through interactive lessons, while more advanced learners can delve into the intricacies of Python coding. Moreover, NAO’s interactive and humanoid design makes it an ideal companion in therapeutic settings, particularly in programs aimed at assisting autistic children. Its engaging presence and ability to respond to social cues provide valuable support and assistance, showcasing the diverse applications of robotics in improving human well-being.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our exploration of NAO, the humanoid robot, has provided us with a glimpse into the exciting world of robotics. We’ve seen its capabilities in language processing, face recognition, and coding education, as well as its potential applications in therapy. While NAO has its limitations, it represents a step forward in the integration of technology into our daily lives. As we look to the future, we’re excited to see how robotics will continue to evolve and shape our world, offering new opportunities for learning, innovation, and collaboration. In any case, I had a lot of fun speaking with a robot in 4 languages!

You think it’s impossible to learn languages with Ai? Watch this ↓