A robot that can analyze the emotions of those around him and interact accordingly, or that can help children with special needs, looks like a scenario of the future.
In fact, not only does it already exist, it was created in Europe and is about to undergo an evolution that will further increase its usefulness.
The small NAO (58 centimeters high) is the first generation of robots that the Aldebaran company has developed. Last week, an example of this humanoid robot traveled from Paris to interact with those who participated in the opening session of the Open Days, an event that took place last week in Brussels and where the Sul Informação was present.
A session that was very dedicated to scientific production, namely to innovation that promotes economic development. And the NAO is a good example of what the European Commission envisions for Europe: business initiatives strongly supported by knowledge and research, which bring innovative elements to the market.
In front of an audience “quick on the trigger” of their cameras, smartphones and tablets, NAO spoke, listened, questioned and even gave an opinion. It won't be hard to imagine that he was also the star of the session.
It's these interactive features that make this robot special. NAO was born as a human support unit, either to keep company and provide assistance to bedridden people or people with mobility difficulties, or to be used as a therapeutic tool with children with special needs, among other uses.
The robot is produced as part of the project supported by community funds «Juliette», promoted by the company Aldebaran, which was born in 2005 and has been based in Paris since then. The first NAO was created in 2006 and is already around the world. There are already 7 robots similar to the one that made a sensation in Brussels, spread across 70 countries.
Meanwhile, Aldebaran, of the Softbank Group, has already created a brother to NAO, the robot Pepper, and is developing a third one.
Pepper, launched in 2014, is "the world's first humanoid robot capable of recognizing certain emotions, exploring and reacting to what goes on in its surroundings and using an algorithm that proactively triggers interaction," according to the company that manufactures it.
This unit “is only available in Japan and entertains, welcomes and interacts with customers from Softbank and Nescafé stores”.
Still under development is the robot Romeo, which will measure 1 meters high. A size that is designed so that it can provide deeper assistance, namely “opening doors, climbing stairs and reaching objects on a table”. Its creators expect it to start being tested in elderly homes in 40.
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