tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78088774722643785672024-02-19T03:58:18.545-08:00Cloud-based Robotics Robots, Software and ServicesRobotteca.com and Chartacloudrobotics.com Discussions and insights about the new era of robotics technology. Use case discussions about cloud-based robotics software, service robots, tele-presence robots, medical care robots, STEM robots, makerspace robots, autism engagement therapy robots, retail robots and home companion robots.Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-30566224554939576092021-05-18T09:11:00.005-07:002021-05-18T09:11:50.232-07:00Digital Humans ‘residing’ Inside Computer Server Farms and Not Physical Robots Will Drive the Workforce of the Future.<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">How fast the
paradigm changes. Up until this point we have been concerned about the impact
that robots would have on jobs. It was and is a valid concern. It was, however,
mostly limited to the impact of robotics on jobs in in factories and warehouse
operations and not about socially assistive robots. The push back on socially
assistive robots by skilled workers has been formidable. But a new technology
is now emerging that will impact skilled knowledge workers. It is the
combination of AI and digital human avatar interfaces.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you are a
CEO, COO or CTO you simply must be actively adjusting your strategies, plans
and operational designs now to this expanding technological advance. Why?
Because it will radically change competitiveness, operational cost constructs
and drive improvements in brand loyalty. Digital Humans across the board is landscape
changing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
combination of AI and digital human avatars delivers a powerful formula of
knowledge, responsiveness, and sustained customer engagement. These are essential
keys to any business success.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is it live
or is it Memorex? I am old enough to remember the advertising for a recording
tape product from a company called Memorex. They would challenge listeners to
determine if the vocal they were listening to was live or was it a recording.
Digital Humans are getting that good. Have you explored the current models like
those offered by UneeQ a clear leader in the field? Can you tell the practical
difference?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With AI
powering the ‘brains’ of these digital humans they are also getting super smart
on a protracted basis. The more they are used the smarter they get. So, having
them deployed as customer service agents, health care advisors, transaction
assistants only make sense. Add the benefit that you can deploy a digital human
at significantly lower cost that a real human or even a robot and the business
model for adoption becomes a no brainer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Plus, there
are other easily discoverable additional advantages of digital humans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Digital
Humans are an easily scalable resource – up or down- as service volume dictate
while robots are not easily scalable and are in many attempted use cases proven
to be intrusive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And with
Digital Humans there are no HR problems, no medical benefits, no vacations or holidays,
no limits on hours worked and no taxes to cite just a few. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Will this be
your business model in 2022?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOPMUdzlKrhZ88CURh9m9s-NASGMs0Q0LLxXkkKIeWgBRsxR6So2XjGvxJ9gOemAwwQemjqe9WN2-8jFp3TIBGFnOyUWSjaeef_R47fMFQD841_yV45Xwki1pmBTPGHFOxOdaCg9avho/s400/Call+center+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOPMUdzlKrhZ88CURh9m9s-NASGMs0Q0LLxXkkKIeWgBRsxR6So2XjGvxJ9gOemAwwQemjqe9WN2-8jFp3TIBGFnOyUWSjaeef_R47fMFQD841_yV45Xwki1pmBTPGHFOxOdaCg9avho/s320/Call+center+image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Or will this
be your business model?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZx2dd-GDRc1Um1J5596RpuOXKM6D7DOdnJTmhh1d2WZbfIuR1FAheojWF-9uGZMifXyXwMG0Ih0eLnUpd7ZRYKT3wEnPnTBXtjByHdCXuLsOYjrVudvaSE4S1ftzrArNSbkA5v3EQq8/s311/DH+on+Servers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZx2dd-GDRc1Um1J5596RpuOXKM6D7DOdnJTmhh1d2WZbfIuR1FAheojWF-9uGZMifXyXwMG0Ih0eLnUpd7ZRYKT3wEnPnTBXtjByHdCXuLsOYjrVudvaSE4S1ftzrArNSbkA5v3EQq8/s0/DH+on+Servers.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is time
to define a digital humans strategy for your work force and choose the
technologies that you will use. It is also time also to create a Human
Resources (digital human) framework and associated policies. These digital
humans will need to be evaluated, monitored, trained and managed. Sounds like
human resources will be instrumental in deployments in this new digital age?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are here
to advise and assist. Don’t hesitate to reach out for conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">See our
Visioneering Workshop: “Building the Digital Human Workforce” at </span><a href="http://www.robotteca.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.robotteca.com</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mike Radice
is Chairman of the Technology Advisory for ChartaCloud. Reach Mike at
info@chartacoud.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-58819730039159143982021-01-27T09:23:00.000-08:002021-01-27T09:23:04.938-08:00Why ‘Digital People’? They are ‘The New Face’ of AI/AGI and will become the interface to all things digital.<p> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">I think we
can all agree that AI/AGI is transforming the digital landscape of just about
everything. What these transformative AI/AGI applications will herald is the
need for a smart AI interface, a human-like interface. ‘Digital People’ are human-like,
digitally created AI constructs (CGI animations; avatars) that appear to be humans
and that can be empowered to converse, react, and respond quite like real
humans.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Digital
people technology will also advance the socially assistive robotics space. And the
adoption will be rapid. The current domain of humanoid like robot hardware form
factors being used today for socially assistive robotics remains bogged down in
search of use cases that justify their cost and clearly demonstrate utility. This
is true especially in the in-home and retail store markets which remain the ‘two
burial grounds’ for today’s popular humanoid robot form factor hardware. In-home
and retail space is just too limited, too obstacle riddled, and the intrusion of
roaming robots wandering around is just too great. Screen based AI/AGI digital
people platforms will be widely adopted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Digital people’ robotic initiatives will
deliver:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Voice controlled AI/AGI portals<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A sense of authentic engagement powered by AI/AGI<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Increased trustworthiness of robot interaction platforms<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A growing sense of knowledgeable/learning companionship<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A method of interface that feels like a personal, live T.V.
and escapes the ‘uncanny valley’.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bottom line is that deployable digital people technologies are
significantly more scalable ‘in the wild’ than robots using the traditional
form factor.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I predict that ‘digital people’ will become the interface to
all things digital, the new face of an AI/AGI powered world. Get ready to run
your entire personal day, your home, and your business via your own personalized
‘digital person’. Perhaps we are witnessing the beginning of the end of the
keyboard?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Michael Radice is the Chairman of the Technology Advisory for
ChartaCloudrobotics.com and ROBOTTECA.com. You can reach Mike at
info@chartacloud.com<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-21826861629856840242021-01-07T12:10:00.001-08:002021-01-07T12:10:50.057-08:00Here We Go. Robots Can Now Decode Human Personality Traits.<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The ability of software to recognize faces has fast become a staple
amongst a wide variety of software, security and robotic systems and
technologies. Now, with the advances and power of AI (artificial neural
networking, actually) we can apply diagnostic extraction technology designed to
identify human personality traits from captured facial images. Essentially,
profiling the personality make up of observed humans. This is what I call
‘derived facial diagnostics’. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">It is happening, and it is making robots smarter, more powerful and yes, more human-like.</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Long
considered as a pseudo-science AI is proving that there is indeed a validity to
the technique that, yes, the very construct of one’s face presents a roadmap
view into DNA defined personality. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
reference a just published research report published on Nature.com: </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“…results
demonstrate that real-life photographs taken in uncontrolled conditions can be
used to predict personality traits using complex computer vision algorithms.” <sup>(1)</sup></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My purpose
here is not to discuss the surrounding ethical, moral and social implications
of this technology only to observe that when properly used it can provide a
significant advance in the potential utility of robot-human interactions. No
matter your position on these matters, history teaches that the derived benefits
will surely ensure that it happens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So how might
such a technology be used in and with robots?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
technology has already advanced to a point where a facial image capture can
return key personality traits in under two seconds. Quite sufficient to for the
robot to gauge a path to take for continuing in the interaction or dialogue.
So, whether it is making recommendations on potential products such as food
choices, clothing, hotels or vacation destinations, a more informed robot can
provide a more informed suggestion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Analyzed
over a series of interactions marketers can refine their offers by augmenting robot
captured queries with the key personality traits of queriers. Communications
via messages, advertisements and product offers powered by personality-based
diagnostics, would supply savvy marketers with an advantage. No matter how
small the competitive advantage, it is a knowledge-based advantage that will tip
the competitive scale.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Extending
robot interaction is another. Humans get bored quickly. This is a serious issue
with robot engagement. If the human feels disconnected from the interaction by
way of generalized robot responses, they simply walk away. However, if the
human feels more deeply connected to the dialogue which can now be made
personality driven, the likelihood of continued engagement length increases. Thus,
given more time to interaction, means more time to sell, suggest or convey a
promotional theme, message. More success.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My testing
of this technology has served to substantiate its power and advancing validity.
If you are a robot developer, feel free to reach out to me for a discussion
about securing early preview access to this technology.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>(1) </i><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Assessing the Big Five personality
traits using real-life static facial images </span></i></b><a href="about:blank"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alexander Kachur</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, <u>Evgeny Osin</u>, </span></i><a href="about:blank"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Denis Davydov</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span></i><a href="about:blank"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Konstantin Shutilov</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> & </span></i><a href="about:blank"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alexey Novokshonov</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mike Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory at
ChartaCloudRobotics.com and Robotteca.com. You can contact mike at
info@chartacloud.com</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-5348553664374613642020-11-13T12:55:00.000-08:002020-11-13T12:55:33.798-08:008 Things That Successful Social Robot Developers Do. <p><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Focus deeply on specific use case
target solutions.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Too many potential adopters are led to believe that a social robot can just
come out of the box and do most anything and everything. Talking to markets in
broad terms like serving retail, hotels, schools and healthcare is so overused
that the market(s) is numb to the pitch. “Tell me specifically, how and why I
should use this or that robot and the benefits and contribution(s) it will make”.
Too many robot developers rely on the serendipity of the market to identify on
their own the potential and value of adopting a robot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Post-sale the inevitably of not meeting
customer expectations leads to a mismatch and dis-satisfaction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Invest and provide proven business
and consumer ROI models.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Business and most personal decisions are based on benefits. Read ‘ROI’.
Potential customers need to at least have a starting point to assess (model
out) the financial impact and contribution the robot can provide. Even the ‘soft’
metrics for measuring the impact social robots can deliver can and should be
quantified. E.g. the quality of life improvements for elders or reducing pain
and anxiety in children can be established.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Face head on providing solutions and
guidelines to the regulations, liability and ethics that stifle robot adoption
and deployment.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Recognizing that introducing a robot for any use, brings with it true concerns
for potential mishaps, security or privacy breaches and ethical concerns. In
some industries it might be general liability if for example a robot spills hot
coffee on a customer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other
industries, the regulations are significantly more rigid such as HIPAA privacy
in health care. These issues a cannot be ignored, overlooked or left for the
customer to navigate alone. Clear guidance and policies need to be prepared and
be ready for customer presentation and evaluation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Recognize that most businesses and
organizations are not staffed with the skills to evaluate and adopt robots.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are still way early in the robot adoption game when it comes to having
‘knowledgeable buyers’ to work with. This means that deep buyer ‘skill
capacity’ fears exist and surround the many selection and support issues regarding
robot adoption. Being prepared to document the skills required, the training
program resources available and the mutual obligations and commitments
expected, and the daily robot management guidelines are just a few of the
meaningful value-added components needed to ensure successful sales and
on-going satisfaction. Experience teaches that too many robots are purchased
without a clear understanding of what is ultimately required.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do not push robots into the public
domain that simply do not yet ‘fully’ work.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sadly, this issue speaks for itself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Put in place a customer service/support
model.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are still in the age of ‘robots’ in the wild’. The litany of issue is
manifest. Breakdowns, failures, abuse, a robot’s confusion with the surrounding
electronic and physical environment, quality of connectivity are but few. What
is the plan for repair? What is the method and cost of repair? How long do
repairs take? Where do repairs happen? Who handles the repair shipping
preparations? Who pays for the insurance coverage of repair shipments? These
are but few of the mutual obligations robot adopters need to address and make
clear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Focus on partner success rather than drive
to build up channel partner inventory.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is hard to find a robot developer organization that understands the
value of channel partners and seeks to establish a true partner relationship. First
question from too many robot manufacturers is all too often: “How many of our
robots will you inventory”? Second question is: “What are your forecasted
sales”? Good gosh, most re-seller partners have not even been given the
opportunity to test drive a robot they may have interest in before these
questions are asked. Re-seller partners can be a valuable contributing resource
towards all of the above noted issues. If you are not willing to invest in a
partnership do not do one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Understand that in the overall that
the number of robots forecasted to be roaming the streets and used in homes is
untenable.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reflect on the nature of the true reality of the market. It is a
marketplace that is over-hyped with adoption volume forecasts. Think about it.
If the number of robots forecasted to be deployed were realized there would be
no room on the streets or in homes for people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you wish to successfully compete and survive re-read items 1-7 above.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mike Radice is Chairman of the
Technology Advisory for Robotteca.com and ChartaCloudRobotics.com. Mike can be
reached at info@chartacloud.com<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-38558173944368887732020-10-12T11:52:00.002-07:002020-10-12T11:52:36.288-07:00Here We Go –The Leap from Facial Recognition to Derived Personality Traits from Facial Image Diagnostics<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is
happening, and it is making robots smarter, more powerful and yes, more
human-like. The ability of software to recognize faces has fast become a staple
amongst a wide variety of software, security and robotic systems and
technologies. Now, with the advances and power of AI (artificial neural
networking, actually) we can apply diagnostic extraction technology designed to
suggest personality traits from captured facial images. Essentially, profiling
the personality make up of observed humans. This is what I call ‘derived facial
diagnostics’.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Long
considered as a pseudo-science AI is proving that there is indeed a validity to
the technique that, yes, the very construct of one’s face presents a roadmap
view into personality. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reference a
just published research report published on Nature.com: </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“…results
demonstrate that real-life photographs taken in uncontrolled conditions can be used
to predict personality traits using complex computer vision algorithms.” <sup>(1)</sup></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My purpose
here is not to discuss the surrounding ethical, moral and social implications
of this technology only to observe that when properly used it can provide a
significant advance in the potential utility of robot-human interactions. No
matter your position on these matters, history teaches that the derived
commercial benefits will surely ensure that it happens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So how might
such a technology be used in and with robots?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
technology has already advanced to a point where a facial image capture can
return key personality traits in under two seconds. Quite sufficient to for the
robot to gauge a path to take for continuing in the interaction or dialogue.
So, whether it is making recommendations on potential products such as food
choices, clothing, hotels or vacation destinations, a more informed robot can
provide a more informed suggestion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Analyzed
over a series of interactions marketers, can refine their offers by augmenting robot
captured queries with the key personality traits derived from those accumulated queries. Communications
via messages, advertisements and product offers powered by personality-based
diagnostics, would supply savvy marketers with an advantage. No matter how
small the competitive advantage, it is a knowledge-based advantage that can tip
competitive scale.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Extending
robot interaction is another. Humans get bored quickly. This is a serious issue
with robot engagement. If the human feels disconnected from the interaction by
way of generalized robot responses, they simply walk away. However, if the
human feels more deeply connected to the dialogue which can now be made
personality driven, the likelihood of continued engagement length increases. Thus,
given more time to interaction, means more time to sell, suggest or convey a
promotional theme or message. More success.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My testing
of this technology has served to substantiate its power and advancing validity.
If you are a robot developer, feel free to reach out to me for a discussion
about early preview access to this technology.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>(1) </i><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Assessing the Big Five personality
traits using real-life static facial images </span></i></b><a href="about:blank"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alexander Kachur</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, <u>Evgeny Osin</u>, </span></i><a href="about:blank"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Denis Davydov</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span></i><a href="about:blank"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Konstantin Shutilov</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> & </span></i><a href="about:blank"><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alexey Novokshonov</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mike Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory at
ChartaCloudRobotics.com and Robotteca.com. You can contact mike at info@chartacloud.com</span></i></p>Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-81712647310005270342020-07-10T11:27:00.001-07:002020-07-10T11:29:21.063-07:003 Consternations Developing at the Front Lines of Robotics<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every business modeler understands that defining, strengths
weaknesses, threats and opportunities are central to clear and comprehensive
strategic planning. Unless the three long game strategic concerns outlined
below find their rightful place in that strategic planning model for physical
robots, physical robots are headed for a not so pretty inflection point and at
the minimum they will face major constraints on long term deployment, viability
and use.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Imagine
the “robot jam”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let’s be practical. There is only so much space inside
buildings, hospitals, nursing homes, transportation centers, on sidewalks, in
retail establishment and yes, particularly in restaurants and homes. If even
half the forecasts of ‘future robots to be deployed’ are realized, robots will
be crowding out people and running into one another. Simply said, the current
model of physical/ mobile robot utilizations is simply not scalable. Worse yet,
such large scale deployments will create social-space chaos, bringing in the
regulators, licensors, and taxation. Let alone unleash the liability lawyers
seeking compensation for robots obstructing and crashing into people and things
or standing still to avoid collisions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Who is
Going to Service These Bots, effectively?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let’s be even more practical. No one can expect that every
deployed robot will function over time without failure or damaging incident.
Such ‘failures’ as they will assuredly arise may be as simple as needing a
battery replacement or more dramatic like retrieving a robot from the bottom of
a swimming pool, or collecting one at the bottom of a set of stairs or one stuck
stranded and immobile on a sidewalk or in a doorway. How about when some
malicious person douses a robot in public with foam or glue spray? Or, when someone
just picks it up and steals away with it? No matter, the point is that I have
yet to learn of any robot manufacturer’s nationwide model for national on-site
monitoring, pickup and repair service. The current model espoused by robot
developers and manufacturers places the onus on the customer to monitor, retrieve,
diagnose, package and ship for repair. Who is going to take care of and how for
all the robot physical/mechanical issues generated by these thousands of
forecasted robot deployments and their inherent failure rates?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“Amusing
at best”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The third issue is the human interface expectations
established by the physical style of mechanical robots. Most robot design
implementations thus far seek to convey a human like motif, a set of attributes
that seemingly are designed to convey comfort and familiarity to the
interfacing human. They usually have heads, blinking eyes, arms, some have legs.
The problem is that in following this path the engagement and response expectations
of the robot are set beyond what is proto-typically possible today. Most
humans, interfacing with a mechanical robot, soon drift away somewhat amused,
maybe, but typically underwhelmed. Truthfully, there are two factors at work.
First, most robots when deployed are ‘one horse pony’ demonstrators. I’ve
watched people (i.e. customers) walk right past a robot in a public environment
and when asked about doing so they state “Oh yeah, I spoke to that robot the
other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has nothing new to say.”
This is not the robot’s fault as much as the content is usually woefully weak
if not silly. Secondly, there is hardly ever a sense that you are actually
connecting individually with the robot and being engaged as a unique person in
a useful or rewarding conversation. Left as is, robots will remain to be seen
as not much more than a gimmick that does dances and takes selfie photo.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is why smart, AI-powered robots that can engage
individuals (detect) emotional conditions and conduct a ‘pathway’ of a logical,
in-depth conversation are needed. In summary, my belief is that we need to move
away from the mechanical, fixed structural/mechanical robot models so popular
today and move to or at least create a new class of what I foresee as ‘soft
robots’. Having seen the emerging screen based ‘animated, AI-powered KIOSK creatures’
that can convey engagement and be much more ‘alive’ without the scalability constraints
of physical, mechanical platforms I am heartened that it is possible. These
soft robots, these ‘artificial creatures’ I predict will be the new interface.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Smart robot developers would be wise to move to these ‘artificial
creature’ style interfaces.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These three industry impacting considerations need to be
crafted and integrated into a new era solution that creates a future robot
world that is much more scalable, manageable, resilient and yes, more
satisfying to humans.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Mike Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory for ChartaCloud Robotics, <a href="https://CHARTACLOUDROBOTICS.com">https://CHARTACLOUDROBOTICS.com</a> and <a href="https://www.ROBOTTECA.com">https://www.ROBOTTECA.com</a> <a href="mailto:info@chartacloud.com">info@chartacloud.com</a></i></p><br />Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-66108947239226354942020-05-04T10:36:00.000-07:002020-05-04T10:36:26.155-07:00Are You Watching? 3 Game Changers in Robotics<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#1: Putting
Humans in the Robot Loop – Game Changer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">In these unique
times, all things ‘robot’ have begun to move very fast. What business has been
resisting about robots for the last decade is fast becoming a priority. Robots
previously considered as job killers, all of a sudden look like a brilliant
solution to those tasks dull, dangerous, dirty, and toxic. A crisis will have
that effect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The point is
that we now need more robots working as fast, efficiently and as effectively as
possible. However, the truth is that the world remains a complicated place for
a robot. There are problematic times when even a robot needs a helpful human
hand. We now realize that injecting human intelligence by positioning a ‘human
in the robot loop’ makes a big difference. The requirements for a ‘live’ human-robot
interface link is proving to be landscape changing in a positive way to
successful robot deployments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Being able to
inject human intelligence into and through a robot via a human-robot interface
link especially at the right moment or a critical moment has been found to be
critical and highly beneficial. It may be as simple as helping get a robot get back
on its ‘map’, resolving the getting around an unforeseen impediment or obstacle
or taking over a conversation when an AI-powered retail robot has run out of pre-programmed
knowledge and expertise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Millions of
robots are already deployed. And, the number will continue to grow. There are
those that predict that robots will at some point outnumber cell phones as the
ubiquity of robots increases in the newly emerging economic and social fabric. At
present, however, we constantly hear that the robots are not ready for prime
time. And, to a great extent, that is true. Reality still does meet
expectations. We expect a lot of our robots. For both robot developers and
users alike, the stakes are high. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and
deep learning remain essential elements in future robot-based solutions. Adopting
the benefits of a ‘human-robot interface link’, a ‘human in the loop’ with the
robot via cloud-based software offers an immediate and powerfully functional solution
in support of the demand for rapidly expanding the use and deployment of
robots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#2: Cloud-based
Robotics Software: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Setting the Stage for
Robot Ubiquity – Game Changer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Robot
developers are fast coming to understand that relying on the on-board computing
power of their hardware platforms, thinking that they can provide fully
comprehensive, fully autonomous multi-purpose, multi-functional robots is not
within their current grasps. The increasing sophistication of current robots is
primarily the result of access to powerful cloud-based computing and software.
As a result, a whole new class of software and services providers has evolved,
focused on the creation of ‘cloud-based robotics’ software platforms designed
to meet the increasing needs for rapid application development, monitoring,
controlling and collecting data that analyzes the use of robots in fleets and
at scale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Cloud-Based
robotics software will mature in at least these three ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Software and services that will allow
robot developers to focus their engineering talent and resources on their
unique platform attributes while looking to off-the-shelf software to augment
their platforms with the non-unique attributes. Using this class of software will
lower developmental costs, advance speed to market and increase the reliability
and thus the ROI of the robotic platforms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">B.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Introduction of <b><i>Robot Access
Interface Layer (RAIL)</i></b> software allows ‘the common person’ to use and
control robots and create their own personal applications. Controlling the
attributes of robot behavior has until recently remained beyond the reach of
the population at large. But that is changing as software that can be placed on
a robot and interface with its primary functionalities such as speaking,
moving, interfacing with other applications, and interfacing with the IOT
devices that control homes and monitor health.<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">C.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Software that ushers in an entirely
new concept of robots. Robots that do not need to be embodied as hardware
devices on wheels in order to be of service and value. There are now soft
robots. If you can imagine an animated, avatar style robot creature that is
itself AI smart and is very much as capable of interaction as a hardware-based
robot. In this instance we have animated creatures on a screen that are
sensitive to touch, can recognize faces, recognize emotions, and dialogue in an
engaging fashion. These robot creatures appear and act as if they are
themselves alive and you sense that they seem to recognize that you actually
exist. More importantly, delivered via information style kiosks …Mirror, Mirror
on the wall…vibrantly animated on reactive flexible robot arms these robots are
scalable in a future world environment that otherwise if all comes to pass, would
be awash in mechanical robots running all over the place and into each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">#3: Coming
Sub 20ms Network Latency – A Game Changer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">On April 23<sup>rd</sup>,
2020 the U.S. FCC approved the allowance of WiFi 6. Increasing the WiFi
spectrum means up to 4 times more capacity, 40% increase in data throughput, and
increased multi-streaming capacity. Adding 5G telecommunications and network
slicing capabilities of software-defined networks, we are pressing to network
latency speeds that will challenge human neural networks in speed and thus on
to ’seamless’ human-robot communications.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">For those of
us that have been working in ‘robotics’ these times are proving to be the most
energizing yet when you combine the role robots are playing today in fighting
the COVIOD-19 virus and the anticipated role that robots will play in our post
crisis world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Michael D.
Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud ROBOTTECA, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><a href="http://www.robotteca.com/"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">www.robotteca.com</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and </span></i><a href="http://www.chartacloudrobotics.com/"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">www.chartacloudrobotics.com</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike can be reached by e-mail at </span></i><a href="mailto:mike@chartacloud.com"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">mike@chartacloud.com</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> . <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br />Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-827458725071784792020-03-05T14:21:00.000-08:002020-03-05T14:21:14.380-08:00Artificial Intelligence Gets A Face<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">SPooN.ai: Artificial Creatures
Deliver Immersive User Engagement in A Voice/AI Powered World<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Author:
Michael D. Radice, Managing Director, ChartaCloud Robotics LLC.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Do
you feel connected to the technology you use? Wouldn’t it be nice to know that the
technology that you are using knows you exist as a real and unique person? That
you are not just another technology system or perhaps a robot? This is the
first rule of engagement that inspired and drove the development of a new
digital interface technology in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
products and voice powered services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">To
more fully frame this discussion, we need to take a moment to reflect upon the
experience with robots. The emergence of robots especially ‘humanoid style’
robots, have taught us a great many lessons. Interaction and engagement
expectations (i.e. human robot interface - HRI) with humanoid robots were and
remain high. Today’s robots struggle to meet that expectation. Robots are,
however, amazingly powerful in at least two aspects. One, they excel in the
power of attraction. That is, they can attract and gather an audience. Two, they
can be seductive in their anthropomorphic attributes. People like and desire to
think and want to believe they are alive. The point is, is that as hardware
technologies, which is what robots are, the current state of interface with
robots leaves us wanting more. The best I have experienced thus far is the
seductive power of the NAO humanoid style robot. Its design and its animated
engagement using what is called autonomous life, does proffer powerful
engagement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These previous robot
engagement experiences provided the stimulation that a new style interface to
digital technology was needed. One that meets real life personal engagement expectations.
AI products are robots of a different sort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">We
have moved fast past the point where a breakthrough in creating a new interface
to digital technology was needed. AI, voice-powered interaction, machine
learning, facial recognition, emotional discernment are the technologies
driving the demand and the need for a new unified interface to digital
technology. For product developers, the challenge is even greater. How do you create
an application interface that embraces so many disparate interaction elements?
The forces pulling and pushing the need for creating a new model interface in AI
powered digital technologies has in my opinion become irresistible. With 150
million users using voice to interface with a growing aspect of their daily AI
driven technology, the stakes for creating a breakthrough were getting higher. The
creation of a new unified interface is becoming a winner take all proposition. The
‘mouse’ won’t get us there. The stylus was never the end-all be-all. Touch
screen interfaces work well but many times they too can be problematic.
Chatbots are well, just that chatbots. Infobots are very much solo info-point
devices giving square answers to round questions. Technology is now capable of
seeing you and knowing who you are, discerning a lot about your emotional
state, knowing your experiential preferences. For example, what will be the
defining attributes for delivering AI driven services in collective spaces like
transportation centers, hospitals, office buildings, and shopping malls? We
know for sure that it will be heavily formulated as knowledge-based and experience
driven AI services that learn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So, here come the
‘artificial creatures’ and the Oxytocin Element<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">For
further insight we can look around and take note that many of mankind’s most
powerful inventions and creations were inspired and derived from the biological
world. Outside of person to person bonding is there an example of stronger
bonding than that between people and their pets? What is the bonding interface
attribute that generates such an instant, warm and comfortable sensation
reaction in our brains? When we experience such a warm encounter with a pet or
yes, a person, we generate brain chemical called oxytocin. While oxytocin helps
cement bonds between people, it also simply stated, makes us feel good. Hence
another clue to defining the future AI interface. Its use must result in a
positive sense of personal interaction. An understanding of all this brain
functionality, what I call ‘brain tech’ and the power of biological design and
what I now refer to as zoomorphic attributes become central and powerful
elements that are being used by the creators of the new universal AI interface.
I have seen it, used it, and it is called SPooN. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">This is where ‘artificial creatures’
which are a creation of SPooN enter the scene. They are called SPooNys. Think
of SpooNy’s as AI soft robots or smart avatars that actually possess the
capacity to be your interface to all of your technology. A SPooNy is smart,
being driven by AI and empowered with facial and emotional recognition to help
guide the interaction. A SpooNy takes on the persona of an artificial creature
in the form of soft robot creature. One of them looks like this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VcmVqx7DLLMR7Nz0Z_o-UwE3Pof-t15tVlEcf03wRLOslFQL4WvdVO1WFlmktxp6wq-KPIC524qhCadLnoaW95C1Rk50jSJlKuOPdvL-GwtMt8L_EMrskIfbQVebmOmIi0lGMSX3emI/s1600/SpooN+Face.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="1025" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VcmVqx7DLLMR7Nz0Z_o-UwE3Pof-t15tVlEcf03wRLOslFQL4WvdVO1WFlmktxp6wq-KPIC524qhCadLnoaW95C1Rk50jSJlKuOPdvL-GwtMt8L_EMrskIfbQVebmOmIi0lGMSX3emI/s320/SpooN+Face.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i2l_nYItj0ioc_E1vwklGko4sLw2Xc1KQfSCNrD7QDVIeGeKrUED9tKmnRSY80zzAJUmqFiZ74aer-2wpqNJNNF_v5xlK-zFS2rUDwd8m_mC9TP0M1IK9TCoEfOcUc1ZlKfbBnPuSIE/s1600/Spoon+Face+Detail.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="615" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i2l_nYItj0ioc_E1vwklGko4sLw2Xc1KQfSCNrD7QDVIeGeKrUED9tKmnRSY80zzAJUmqFiZ74aer-2wpqNJNNF_v5xlK-zFS2rUDwd8m_mC9TP0M1IK9TCoEfOcUc1ZlKfbBnPuSIE/s320/Spoon+Face+Detail.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">It
has eyes that follow you. It has facial responses that engage you with its
zoomorphic character. It can feel the user.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">A
SpooNy can be on any digital device. A personal device or an information kiosk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Integrated
into the creature’s face are 11 embedded dynamic attributes that create the
personal engagement levels that make SPooNy so powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">And
yes, SpooNy speaks multiple languages currently Chinese, English, French,
Japanese, and Spanish are already available with more to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnVQKS5gDqRrjIy60DY_23sY7_zVZgfnc83aB_pTKinBPo728QlcHIQnEGlW-SeWqyXsr-fSGrbLPju1Sla0QFOCzzDodni0aeILaJIk0csLzEkhCmeYMDubKY31Hoyl1thgg3kJldeM/s1600/Spoon+ARM+Image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="277" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnVQKS5gDqRrjIy60DY_23sY7_zVZgfnc83aB_pTKinBPo728QlcHIQnEGlW-SeWqyXsr-fSGrbLPju1Sla0QFOCzzDodni0aeILaJIk0csLzEkhCmeYMDubKY31Hoyl1thgg3kJldeM/s320/Spoon+ARM+Image.png" width="233" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Here
is an implementation of a SpooNy ‘living, moving following and reaching out’
deployed on a robotics| armature. A powerful engagement mode for hospitality, retail
and targeted use points such as in health care. Like robots it attracts a
crowd. Tests prove that it is more powerful at engaging a person than a robot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Here is a SpooNy deployed in a
six-foot-high information kiosk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">This info ‘totem’ make sense in what I refer
to as the ‘collectives’ environment as the following discussion describes. Think
of places like office buildings, transportation centers, hospitals, hotels as
large complex collectives. These collectives are made up of a collection of active
and internally changing elements such as individuals, trains, buses, taxis, and
of passive elements such as office spaces, lobbies, mechanical centers, stores,
and restaurants for example. They combine to create the entire collective
entity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SpooNy is a universal digital
interface that can embrace a person’s AI and voice driven interaction<b><sup>(1)</sup></b>
with all and or each the complex elements that comprise the ‘collective’,
creating an AI driven kiosk with depth and a face and/or a voice that can<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have a relationship based immersive engagement
with a person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">With
AI powered SPooNy collectives can take on a reflective engagement persona
sensing the needs and desires of the person with whom SPooNy is engaging.
SpooNy can be the unique face of the collective. SPooNy embraces and provides a
collective’s entire persona so that people can interact with the entire
collective as either as an entity or on a ‘person to person’ basis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Having
experienced SpooNy firsthand I know that AI now has a face. SPooNy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">SpooNy
is a product of SPooN.ai, Paris, France. More information about SpooNy can be
found at </span><a href="http://www.robotteca.com/"><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">www.robotteca.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Grotesque; mso-fareast-font-family: Grotesque;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Consider
the power of this voice/conversational interface in providing ADA sanctioned
service assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Michael Radice is Chairman of the
Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud’s ROBOTTECA.COM and can be reached at
</span></i><a href="mailto:info@chartacloud.com"><i><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">info@chartacloud.com</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;"> | ph: 603-379-9148<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-75333441051172917502019-12-02T08:21:00.000-08:002019-12-02T08:21:04.786-08:00Making the Case for ROBOTS in K-12 Education<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow: hidden;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><u><i>This article was published b</i></u>y</span><b><span style="color: blue;"> K12Digest</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Students are eager for high tech classrooms. Is your classroom room ready? Are you?</span></b></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; overflow: hidden;">
The transformation of education has never been more dramatic. Every teacher will confess that to succeed in the classroom today means creating an engaging environment, many times on subjects that hold little initial student interest, especially when subjects are competing for a student’s interest when they have immersed themselves in the captivating power of video games, YouTube videos, and social chat groups. Attention spans have never been shorter. The ability of today’s children to multi-process different tasks seems bewildering to many adults.</div>
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The current backstory has been the development of curricula for STEM learning. It seems most schools are still struggling to get fully deployed with STEM or what may now be called STEAM programs. The challenge has been fourfold.</div>
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First, was the question of what a STEM program should consist of?</div>
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Second, how do you define and prepare students for a multi-year curriculum that offers foundational continuity?</div>
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Third, how do you prepare and establish qualifications for teachers?</div>
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And fourth, is the always overruling constraints of budgets and qualified staff expertise.</div>
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Then comes yet another hidden element that always seems to raise its head. Teachers simply don’t have the time to advance themselves in technologies or to fully embrace and put their imaginations to work using the new classroom technologies. Learning and creating take time. This is why through experience we have learned that the best technologies for K-12 STEM programs are responsive to all these real-life challenges. Simply said, classroom technologies today must be engaging, dependable, flexible, and robust at the outset. The adoption and learning curve for teachers using new technologies must be realistically planned, considered and structured. The chasm between schools is significant. I have been to schools that replicate the “Starship Enterprise” with amazing technologies for students to use and see schools that struggle to even have basic internet connectivity. The point is that ‘one-size solutions’ do not fit all situations.</div>
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With all the above points considered this is why I have focused on classroom robots as a critical component of STEM programs. Why? The price range of robots for STEM use can fit into almost any budget. Robots can serve in multiple ways. They are engaging. They provide immediate feedback. They can be used to deliver animated educational subject matter presentations. They can be used to advance special educational needs such as working with students diagnosed on the autism spectrum. They can teach new languages. They are tireless and non-judgmental. They can be easily transported from classroom to classroom. They create a sense of excitement and visible accomplishment. Most importantly, robots in education will open the expansive horizons and insights into the future world that today’s students will live in as adults. A world where they cohabitate and collaborate side-by-side with robots at work and in their homes.</div>
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Robots in schools also generate an opportunity for students to not only challenge themselves but engage with other schools and groups in robot competitions. There are few topics that generate active participation in the sciences for young women more than robots. Many of today’s newly created robotic companies are now being headed by young women.</div>
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Robots are not like most other K-12 classroom technologies that strive to deliver and teach subject matter lessons. Robots serve as a powerful platform for developing a student’s own innovation and creativity. Working and learning with robots challenge students to bring into play the thinking about a variety of disciplines such as programming, math, engineering, physics and geometry needed to accomplish a robotic construct or a robot behavior animation. More recently students of the arts have begun adopting robots to perform ‘robot theater plays’, dance routines and to present stories or poems that they have authored. So here we see the convergence of ‘science and the arts’ (STEAM)in full bloom.</div>
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It is clear, that when positioned correctly, robots are at their best when they are used as a teacher’s assistant or a tool for learning and not deemed to be a replacement for the teacher. Maybe that day will come, with the advance of artificial intelligence and robot emotional recognition capabilities, but for now, robots are captivating and engaging students worldwide and for a reason. Today’s robot platforms and technologies put every classroom in reach of the ultimate goal, making learning fun, productive and rewarding.</div>
Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-77344236145014260382019-10-03T07:02:00.003-07:002019-10-03T07:03:45.844-07:00Why Every NAO Robot Needs a ZORA.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why
Every NAO Robot Needs A ZORA!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My
6 Experienced-based Reasons Why NAO Robot Users Are Excited About ZORA Software
and ZoraBots<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif;">With years
of experience reviewing, evaluating and testing many, many robot models and types
and the behavior software associated with them, it is clear that Zora Software designed
to drive the NAO robot is innovative, unique, comprehensive and best-in-class.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif;">While we are
excited about the Zora Software platform, especially when packaged with the NAO
robot to form a ZoraBot, so are NAO Robot users!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif;">I believe it is best to let those users comment on why. I provide the following collected comments:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am a teacher in special education in elementary
school. I don’t have the time or the technical know-how to do deep-dive robot
behavior development. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I tried
Choreographe but never was able to get productive. With the ZORA composer, I
finally have a solution that is fast and easy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“I move my NAO robot to many different locations for many different
purposes. It was always a “WiFi” connectivity and stability nightmare. With the
ZORA secure ‘hotspot’ feature my connection problems are gone. Turn on the
robot with ZORA and I am ready to go! Thank you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“Please know that I totally enjoy the scope of the ZORA behavior
library. The pre-programmed behaviors seem to cover all my needs. What was a
challenge to make the NAO robot do what I needed, I am now always one click
away to making my vision happen. Keep those behaviors coming, please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“I used to only let the robot stand or sit. With the ZORA movement
controller, I can drive the robot around the room or stage, it brings a new
level of engagement to the time spent with NAO.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“My NAO was sitting idle since the previous user moved to a new
department. ZORA brought that NAO back to ‘active duty’! The little bot is an
active part of the team now!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The 6 REASONS:</span></b><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br />
While ZORA features are extensive, I share my own 6 key favorite features that
experience has taught me as to why every NAO needs a ZORA. They are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Turn on the NAO robot with ZORA and you are
immediately ready to go with its own <b>“HOTSPOT WiFi”.</b> No need to spend
time locating and configuring the proper WiFi for robot connectivity. For those
of you that use NAO in multiple locations, this is an ideal ease of use feature.
And, no need to seek the permissions of WiFi access in secure areas like
schools and hospitals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The <b>‘drag and drop’ behavior composer’</b>.
Simply drag the desired robot action ‘object icon’ onto a time-line player
palate and you can compose your own custom robot behaviors. No need to spend
time connecting and testing often confusing and conflicting boxes and arrows.
The in-depth library of available ready-made behavior icons makes interacting
with NAO and creating custom behaviors truly fun, efficient and a transforming
experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">A library
of over <b>70+ pre-programed </b>stories, dances, quizzes, and exercise
routines provide a powerful inventory of robot behaviors for most every
occasion. Always be ready with Zora.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Movement control.</span></b><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> Zora’s on-screen robot
navigation controller brings real-life movement to your fingertips. Using this
controller, you can easily have NAO walk on-stage, enter a classroom or move
about a trade show booth. No longer is NAO limited to sitting or standing in
one place With ZORA NAO becomes an animated and active participant in your
event! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Language to language translations.</span></b><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> Type in
one language and have NAO speak the phrase in another. Let your imagination
contemplate the possibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Perhaps
my favorite feature is the <b>ZORA PowerPoint presenter</b>. I use it all the
time to demonstrate the power of ZORA. Create your PowerPoint and in the
‘notes’ field for each slide simply type what you want NAO to say. Turn on the
NAO PowerPoint function and run the “slideshow”. NAO will deliver the
presentation and advance to the appropriate slide on cue! Use this ZORA feature
for engaging business presentations and in-classroom educational presentations!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">While making our customers excited, pleased and happy I like ZORA for
one more critical reason. Now in its 9<sup>th</sup> version, it really works!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Such is the power of ZORA now working in pediatric hospitals,
libraries, schools, elder care facilities, and retail! You can visit </span><a href="http://www.robotteca.com/"><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">www.robotteca.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> to learn more about ZORA
software or about the ZoraBot combination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">NAO
is a product of SoftBank Robotics. Zora is a product of ZoraBots.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "grotesque" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Mike Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory for ChartaCloud
ROBOTTECA.</span></div>
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<br />Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-57735450611260621312019-07-20T09:32:00.001-07:002019-07-20T09:32:47.371-07:00Why I say, “The NAO Robot More Than Ever!”<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">After almost five years
of experience in assessing multiple robots, I remain convinced that the NAO
Humanoid Robot is in a class by itself. As a matter of fact, I believe that the
NAO robot has risen to a new plateau where it rises and stands alone (no pun
intended) and is now even more functional and versatile. Be assured that this
is not just my own myopic opinion. With others, I have assessed many, many
robots to see if they can surpass NAO. The phenomenon of NAO’s continues and
its adoption and its ever-expanding functionality can be evidenced by the
interactions that I have with users and developers worldwide.</span></div>
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<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/Mike/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.png"
o:title="A picture containing indoor, wall, bathroom, toilet Description automatically generated"/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img align="left" alt="A picture containing indoor, wall, bathroom, toilet
Description automatically generated" height="185" hspace="12" src="file:///C:/Users/Mike/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.png" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="120" /><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Initially, NAO was a first mover in
humanoid robots, especially for the university research community. They
adopted, applied and used NAO to discover the interaction between humans and
robots and, it continues to be adopted for use in even more leading-edge
research. It is my belief that the continued evolution of NAO in the research
community is now being driven not alone by its marvelous engineering and
software functionality but more by the growing discoveries about the nature of
human-robot interaction (HRI). What do you want the robot to do and how should
it react? NAO fits supremely well into research models demanding a full-bodied
construct facilitated by its humanoid (human-like form and degrees of movement
freedom) capacities. I clearly see that NAO is now being driven evermore by its
ability to incorporate, interact and respond using the emerging wave of
integrated artificial intelligence (AI) software schema. I have seen NAO engage
in AI-powered conversational dialogues to help learn a new language, connect to
IBM’s WATSON and even read postings on a whiteboard in a hospital nursing ward
to aid in decision making.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The more exciting
observation is that NAO and its global application developers have enabled NAO
to assert its prominence by delivering practical, real-world use cases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a new era for NAO. The previous era was
characterized by the dialogue that earlier surrounded NAO. “OK, I see it. But,
what does it do?”. This new era demonstrates that answers to that question can
be found in innovative NAO behavior applications that are actually being used
today in autism behavior interventions, assisted medical care in pediatric
hospitals, delivering uplifting social engagement in skilled nursing facilities
that help reduce the trauma of isolation, in libraries advancing community
digital literacy, in schools advancing STEM robotics programs, in classrooms engaging
students in new subjects, even explaining art in an art retail showroom. A new era for sure. Now comes NAO as a powerful stand-alone presenter of custom
PowerPoint educational presentations and AI-powered new language instruction.
These are examples of the growing number answers to the question author Steven
Wasic proffered in 2010 (<i>SinglularityHUB Jan 5, 2010</i>): “What will be the
killer APP for NAO?” If I understand the question correctly, that question has now
been answered. Many times, over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I was originally moved by
the NAO intro video” The Future is NAO” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">See: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ADj_dP-ks8"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ADj_dP-ks8</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Great never gets old!
Inspiring never gets tiring! The “Future is NAO” is more prophetic today than
even when it was introduced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Underlying it all is, of
course, the fact that NAO has proven its position as the true humanoid leader
but even more so in the face of so many recent failures in robot attempts. NAO
endures as an industrial-grade product. NAO’s caretaking development engineers
at SoftBank Robotics working in design, software, and hardware continue to
advance the NAO humanoid platform with ever-increasing and amazing version
enhancements that are now in its sixth evolution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">While it is always
interesting to see a robot deliver hamburgers and another clean windows it is
more rewarding and I find it more meaningful, to see children on the autism
spectrum positively engage and socially progress, to see children in hospitals
feel less pain and anxiety and to see the elderly in an elder-care facilities
exercise, laugh and want to take NAO for a walk! Having a mother write to me
that NAO helped rediscover her son who was fast fading due to autism and to see
a child let himself down out of his wheelchair to the surprise of everyone in order
to have his picture taken with NAO are examples of why I say “NAO more than
ever!”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Mike
Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory for ChartaCloud ROBOTTECA.
Comments: info@chartacloud.com<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br />Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-61062291123003449462019-05-04T11:17:00.001-07:002019-05-04T11:17:17.915-07:00What is Actually Happening with Humanoid Robots Inside Today’s Libraries!<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">While there is a lot of justifiable discussion about
the challenges of a future world where we cohabitate with robots, one thing is
clear – positive robot driven outcomes are being achieved. It seems every day
we see a new leap forward in robot construct, artificial intelligence, machine
learning, object manipulation and facial and emotional visual recognition being
exhibited in and by robots. As someone who is immersed in the world of social
robots and robot process automation, the pace of innovation I see almost daily is staggering.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Equally wondrous in today’s world of socially
assistive robots is the creative ways they are being adopted and used. That too
takes imagination. Use cases are now rapidly expanding beyond proto-typical
research and development. Real-world uses are being substantiated and
legitimized.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When most people first encounter a social robot their
most prevalent question is “what can it do?”. Many times, the environment
offers a suggestive clue as to what it should do and sets expectations.
Encounter a robot behind the concierge desk in a hotel lobby and you expect that
it can make dinner reservations, get your tickets to a play or schedule a golf
tee time. This is happening. Encounter a robot in a retail cosmetics store and
you would expect cosmetic advice based on its perception of your style and
‘facial’ attribute composition. That’s happening. Encounter a robot in an
art gallery and you would expect expert advice and counsel on the art pieces
being displayed. This too is happening. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, what about humanoid robots in libraries?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Libraries
have long been a source of books, magazines, newspapers and digital media. At a
higher level, they were a revered place to discover and learn, foster community
engagement, and serve as a reflection of community pride. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As
Albert Einstein has been quoted as saying “The only thing you really need to
know is where the library is.” </span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Humanoid Robot can:</span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Speak in 20 Languages</span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tell Stories</span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Play Games</span></div>
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</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Interact with Quizzes</span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Present Information</span></div>
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</span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Teach Robotics</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are over 120,000 libraries serving communities
across America. Advances in digital technology’s access to printed materials have
challenged libraries as a primary source when seeking information and knowledge
contained in printed materials. It was not that long ago that libraries were being
written off as not having a very bright future. That has rapidly changed. For
those of us that frequent libraries, we know that they are redefining and
transforming themselves for the new era. Their major redefinition is capitalizing
on their unique standing in the community. Today, more than ever they serve as
a focal point, as a hub, for generating new learning experiences. They were
always the place where you could go to introduce children to the wonder of
books and the adventure of stories. They were always a place where an
experienced librarian could help by suggesting a new track of research or discovery.
And, libraries were a place that always seemed to offer an opportunity to the encounter
and understand new things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Facing the transformative impacts of the digital era, libraries
have well recognized the need to rise to the challenge by adopting and integrating
the advances of modern technologies that enable them to capitalize on their
unique position in the community, revitalize the persona and brand image of the
library to that of a new age knowledge-based institution, one that provides
their communities with modern, vital and expedient resources for access to
knowledge and information, discovery events, learning experiences, and <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">innovation.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Is it any surprise then that as Lorretta
Waldman reported in the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wall Street Journal</i></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">Coming Soon to the
Library: Humanoid Robots” </span></b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">that we are seeing them show up?</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Innovations in technology and concepts for conducting
programs of engagement and discovery at libraries have now brought together humanoid
robots and artificial intelligence (AI) systems. These humanoid robots now
provide enhanced discovery ‘interfaces’ to your library’s printed and recorded materials
via robot-based interactions and with robot-centric events like storytelling,
language training and educational programs for all ages. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imaginative uses continuously get better. As a
provider of socially assistive robots for libraries, I have first-hand experience
watching a NAO humanoid robot arrive in a community library and almost
instantly they have an exciting and engaging community-wide digital literacy
program underway. Library traffic and value perception of the library went way
up with 100’s of new visitors and an increase in robot-based event fundraising!
</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Photo
Credit: Palo Alto Library</span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A single humanoid
robot can engage multiple audiences </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and
respond to multiple missions. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In another library, the robot was positioned as a
resource for the local school such that students can do their STEM robotics
programming assignments at home or in school and then come to the library to
test them </span>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">out on an actual humanoid robot. </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Photo
Credit: ERM Robotique / Avatarion</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Parents that have children diagnosed on the autism spectrum
can now go to the library to use the robot to do their own ABA/pivotal response
training and social and learning skills development exercises and interventions
with their children. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Art groups in another library are planning to
conduct robot performances. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The library-based robot quickly becomes a
knowledgeable ambassador and spokesperson, an information resource, and a presenter
for special community educational events. So, yes, this too is happening, and
it is engaging, exciting and transformative.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The advances in humanoid robots driven by machine
learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), natural language programming (NLP)and
human robot interfaces (HRI) will continue and the next time you go to the
library don’t be surprised if you encounter a humanoid robot that says “Hi There!
And ask, “Have you seen the new book on augmented reality?”</span></div>
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library anymore, unless of course, your Grandmother <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>is</u></i></b> the librarian!</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Michael
D. Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud,
robotteca.com and sociallyassistiverobots.com | e-mail: </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:mike@chartacloud.com">mike@chartacloud.com</a> NAO is a product of SoftBank Robotics.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
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<br />Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-57670743565171313922019-03-29T11:51:00.002-07:002019-03-29T11:51:30.837-07:00Two Observations Impacting Robot-mediated Behavior Intervention Therapy in autism<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Two Discoveries Are Impacting Robot-mediated Behavior Intervention in autism Therapy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Like any new advance into an emerging discipline, there are unexpected discoveries. I have been studying the elements of robot-based, mediated intervention therapy to try and understand and discover the why? What works and what doesn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Let’s set the stage. What is robot-mediated behavior intervention? It is the use of robots as an assistive technology in delivering autism intervention therapies. This further means, that robots are used to engage, present and deliver robot executed behavior therapy routines presented by the robot to those diagnosed on the autism spectrum. These routines address defined and targeted aspects of social interactions and learning skills development. Robots are particularly well suited to the task. In the general case, robots are engaging, they don’t tire, they don’t get off track, they don’t emit frustrations and they are not prone to giving off facial or verbal stimuli that can be perceived and thus received as upsetting. In summary, they are typically found to be non-threatening. Multiple University based research programs attests to these attributes. And, they can be programmed to embrace ABA and EBP guidelines. But seemingly more is going on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">There are two elements that are coming into focus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">First, in a typical therapy session usually conducted at the outset in an environment somewhat uncomfortable to a child, there is the distraction of an unfamiliar environment, new faces, ‘clipboards’, clocks, image cards, and therapist interactions, etc. used to facilitate the therapy. What I am seeing is that when a robot is introduced and utilized there seems to be an unlocking, an establishment of ‘engagement’ facilitated by the robot with the therapist now viewed as a friend and partner in the exercise. Kind of like “we are doing this together”. I would postulate that the therapeutic environment shifts from one of being ‘I am a target’ to that of a social exercise engaged with a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Second, and I know this will seem as heresy, but most robots attempt to present a ‘face’ through which emotional expressions are conveyed in an attempt to mimic human social interactions. In and of itself, not a bad idea. However, recent research has pointed to a factor that I always wondered about. Why are some robots seemingly more engaging than others. We see attempts at using robot models that project faces that are cartoon-like, animal-like, computer screen like, puppet-like, used to crack the child engagement barrier. But as I mentioned University research has postulated that in many children diagnosed on the spectrum there is a delay between what is seen and what is being heard. The experience of watching these robots is like watching a T.V. show where the voice is not in sync with the image being projected. </span><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(See: The Journal of Neuroscience/ Vanderbilt Study). Animal based robots help alleviate some of this ‘unsycronization’. I now believe this is why I have always been biased to the NAO robot’s interactions in robot mediated behavior interventions. The NAO has no moving ‘lips’ or ‘facial’ expressions. The child only hears and does not have to mitigate the synchronization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Grotesque, sans-serif;">Put these two concepts together and I sense a combination that has impact and traction. I know this will be challenged by some and maybe even many but based upon my practical, field-based experience I am comfortable that both concepts have merit. I will let formally trained researchers solve for a ’proof’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Grotesque, sans-serif;">With Stanford Researchers recently noting that there is an average wait time for an autism specialist of 18 months and the cost of therapy per child per year is estimated at $40-60 thousand dollars, I just want to help these children, young adults, and their families. Robots can help and be positively utilized to be assistive in this challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Grotesque, sans-serif;">Michael D. Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud Technologies, ChartaCloud Robotics, </span></i><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.robotteca.com/"><i>www.robotteca.com</i></a></span><i><span style="font-family: Grotesque, sans-serif;"> and </span></i><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sociallyassistiverobots.com/"><i>www.sociallyassistiverobots.com</i></a></span><i><span style="font-family: Grotesque, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-36178075794683855352019-03-06T07:39:00.002-08:002019-03-06T07:39:46.915-08:00The True Heroes of Socially Assistive Robotics<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">As I meet the many individuals in my robot travels and demonstrations, the persistent question of those who encounter robots is often: “What does this robot do?” Admittedly, a reasonable question to ask. Even in the professional robotics </span>community<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> there is the constant search for: “What are specific use case examples for this robot”?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The answer is that socially assistive robots, in truth their developers, have achieved the next plateau, and are providing demonstrable answers to both of those questions. We can now clearly see that socially assistive robots are providing impactful assistive solutions in autism therapy, pediatric hospitals, elder care, and special needs education to cite a few of the leading use cases. I state ‘assistive solutions’ for a reason. Robots in these disciplines are not intended to replace humans but work as assistive resources that first, enhances the delivery of services, whether it be therapeutic services in autism, exciting and engaging students in the classroom learning experience, creating transformative social experiences and stimulating cognitive engagement for the elderly in skilled nursing facilities. Second, expanding the resources available to those who work in these disciplines, such that they, as professionals, can do more, make a greater difference, and improve upon the resulting success of the targeted benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Multiple University based research has long identified and pointed to the potential of socially assistive robots. And, their ground-breaking research efforts surely are to be recognized and applauded. The potential they envisioned is now being realized. I assure you, that those of us engaged in this arena understand that there is yet much more research yet to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">But who are the real heroes of this journey marching on to the new horizons of benefits that socially assistive robots can offer? Surely, the engineers, software developers, and researchers would be among the first on that list, however, in my opinion, it is those individuals who contemplate a vision and take the leap to apply socially assistive robots, actually test them, and offer advice based on their experiences using socially assistive robotics in real life situations. They are the truly brave ones who forge the new frontiers, blazing and demonstrating a path for themselves and most importantly their patients, the elderly, the students and the parents that they strive to serve. Without them, the translation of the vision of socially assistive robots in actual practice would not be made possible. There is a difference between research lab theory and real-world applied use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A few examples of the heroes I have encountered:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">An <i>Elementary school teacher</i> who teaches students in a special needs school adopted a socially assistive robot to aid in skills development for almost 100 children with autism. Her weekly schedule of interactions with these children has yielded demonstrable improvements in many of these children’s coping and learning skills. These robot-based mediated intervention sessions have become not only a source of excitement for the children but her detailed session observations have led to the development of autism applications that are even more impactful and beneficial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A <i>technology specialist</i> at another school created a library of learning sessions that advance the education of special needs students by way of utilizing robot-based learning events that transform conventional lectures into highly interactive, robot led engagement sessions. This teacher’s vision of robot led learning programs have become legendary in the school with students wanting to do them over and over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A <i>Librarian</i> in a public library had the vision of enhancing their community’s digital literacy program by adding a robot to their ‘makerspace’ resource. Following the announcement of the robot’s availability to the community, library visits increased by over 700 visits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A <i>developer</i> had the vision of using the robot to help reduce the pain and anxiety experienced by children facing medical procedures in pediatric hospitals. Working with the child life specialist team in a local hospital they conducted a clinical study and attested to ‘an up to 50%’ reduction in a child’s pain and anxiety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Without heroes like them, those of us who serve as intermediaries in this effort would be stalled at that final moment of truth. Does what we offer in socially assistive robots actually make a difference? Can socially assistive robots be used in real life situations? Will someone try and use them? Thankfully, due to their vision and courage, the answer is yes. For their cooperation and collaboration, the world will be and should be thankful. They are making a real difference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Michael Radice is the Chairman of the Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud Technologies, ROBOTTECA.com and SociallyAssistiveRobots.com<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-87143446038656727622019-02-05T09:04:00.001-08:002019-02-05T09:04:47.077-08:00Six Reasons Why and When I Would Want an In-home Robot?<div class="MsoNormal">
I continue to read and hear about the forecasts regarding the future adoption and use of social and collaborative robots in the home. That ‘someday’ they will do ‘this’, or, provide ‘such and such’, all of which sounds very exciting and enticing.</div>
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But the fundamental question remains: “Why do I even want, let alone need an in-home robot?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Setting the entire cost/price/value discussion aside for the moment, I suppose that there are a series of easy potential cultural and social answers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Such as:<o:p></o:p></div>
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I enjoy technology in any form or fashion.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think it adds a dimension of convenience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It makes me feel not alone, more secure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am not insensitive to the needs for smarter assisted living technologies for the elderly. However, in this instance, I am addressing the demand from the general population.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the past I easily understood the need for robots. We already have robots to wash dishes, wash clothes, dry clothes, vacuum, cut grass and plow snow. On reflection, I recall that I didn’t know why I would want a microwave oven when it was first introduced but I do now. But it took a while.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Reflect upon that today, a robot enters the “smart home scene” already preceded and surrounded by ‘voice-activated info boxes’, smart TV screens, security cameras, smart doorbells, mobile smartphones, mobile computer tablets. What would a robot uniquely add to this mixture? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Essentially, it seems to me that the robot would need to be more than a computer tablet on wheels. Although, that might even prove convenient to some for the robot to hold the tablet, carry it and follow them around. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, to add a new dimension to the existing ‘smart home’ equation, six robot functions come to mind. It would need to:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />1. Be drivable around the house from a remote location.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. Come and find you when something needs to happen or has happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
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3. Be able to go find and fetch things.<o:p></o:p></div>
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4. Have a storage compartment to store and carry things.<o:p></o:p></div>
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5. Have a common base platform with interchangeable components so as to be re-configurable for different in home purposes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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6. Interact/integrate with any of the ‘smart-devices’ already in place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If these conditions were met, I believe many people would be inclined to add an in-home robot. Would you?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have additional ideas on what would motivate you to buy an in-home robot? Do let me know at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="mailto:mike@chartacloud.com">mike@chartacloud.com</a></span>. <i>Mike is Chairman of the Technology Advisory Board at ChartaCloud.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-74433515448879204342018-12-06T12:26:00.001-08:002018-12-06T12:26:23.437-08:00Observations on Robot-mediated Behavior Intervention (RMBI) for autism<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I need to share at the outset that I am not a medical expert or an expert in autism diagnosis or treatment. I am however an experienced technology executive with over 45 years of real-world experience on focusing emerging and new technologies to address and solve real world problems and challenges. When I entered the robotics field it was not long before I experienced firsthand the engaging and positive impact that robotic technology had upon children with autism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The history of the utilization of robots as a pathway vehicle to effective autism therapy has been attested to by many leading researchers. Bottom line is that numerous university-based research studies attest to the positive impact robots can have on autistic behavior intervention. The reasons for the positive findings while varied, group around the following observations. Children trust robots. Most children are captivated by robot interactions. Robots do not tire in their interactions. Robots do not inadvertently convey upsetting facial expressions or use nuanced voice inflections that children find distracting or even upsetting. Robots do not get emotionally swayed off the path.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This article is founded upon my observations while working to increase the attention and focus of clinicians, researchers and educators on the as of yet unrealized future positive possibilities and benefits of robot assisted behavior interventions for autism or what I refer to as robot-mediated behavior intervention or RMBI. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The numbers of children being diagnosed with autism continue to increase at an alarming rate. The CDC now has posted that number at 1 in 59 children. This is a staggering number. The impact on individual lives is also staggering. <span style="color: #171717; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The average cost for a family to care for an autistic child is approximately $60K/year. </span>Autism is a lifelong challenge and it is not just an early childhood issue. Being able to “skill develop” and prepare younger children for their learning and teenage years and then on to self-sufficient adult living can take years of behavior intervention and skills development. The burden on families emotionally and financially can be crushing. Most therapists would agree that 40 hours of therapeutic and skills development interactions and behavior interventions per week<sup> </sup>is what is needed. Imagine dedicating 40 hours per week to the treatment of a single child? That is a full-time job for anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">At the foundation of robot-mediated behavior intervention lies ‘behaviorist’ psychological principles, that behaviors are the result of ‘stimulus-response’ interactions and that resulting behaviors can be observed by the therapist and learned by the child through the repetitive utilization of such interactions. In the case of autism, we are striving to encourage the recognition and learning of acceptable social interactions and create confidence in their adoption and use by the child with autism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While many states in the U.S. recognize the need especially for early childhood intervention and many now even provide some financial subsidy or medical reimbursement for such therapy, the available resources outstrip the demand. Most of the burden falls upon special education teachers in public or special needs schools and increasingly on the families of children with autism themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Great progress is being made to culturally embrace children and adults with autism. Autism is now more frequently seen less as a disease or a handicap and more as a condition that bespeaks the uniqueness of a person. “Each child is unique” is the mantra of those impacted or those working with those impacted. While I respect these sentiments, it tends to belie the work that needs to be done to treat such a devastating condition. None the less we must always keep in mind that every therapeutic approach must embrace the uniqueness of the child being cared for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #171717; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">More than a decade of research has established the fact that human-robot interaction possesses a huge potential as an intervention tool for many children with autism. The world-wide prevalence of autism has triggered the need for training professionals and developing new technologies to efficiently deliver autism intervention to a wave of demand that if it has not already, will soon overwhelm providers. Technology-aided interventions should be seen as emerging tools for autism intervention and robot-mediated behavior intervention (RMBI). More importantly as robot technology advances and costs lower the possibility of having a robot mediated intervention platform that can be used in a “at home” setting is the real target. Leading researchers have documented that 30 days of 30 minute in home use can have very positive results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #171717; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Another noted university researcher has recently stated however, that “Despite impressive new developments in robot-mediated behavior intervention (RMBI), there is a huge gap in understanding among robotics researchers, robotics industries and stakeholders (autistic children, parents/caregiver, and clinicians) on the clinical utility of robots in autism intervention, best practice in RMBI, and the robotics technology (hardware and software) required to establish RMBI as an effective evidence-based practice (EBP) in autism”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are entering a new era of robotics and for social robots in particular. Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning when combined with the hardware elements and technologies that comprise today’s robots clearly point to a future where much of the behavior intervention work can be assisted by or transferred to a social interactive style robot. Every day we learn more about robots that can sense emotions and derive diagnostic, personality-based information by ‘reading’ facial expressions. Unfortunately, the momentum in robot-based autism behavior interventions once driven by university-based research programs has lessened as seemingly, in their minds the case for the use of robots has been made. While this is true, we now need to advance, in a unified manner, the software, robotic platform design and the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) curricula needed to establish the expanded viability of robot mediated behavior interventions. This needs to be done so that more individuals, family members in particular, and not just professional therapists can with the assistance of a social robot, engage in credible behavior intervention and skills development therapies. Families need access to comprehensive social robot-based platforms that can increase the amount of productive skills development time they can provide to a child’s development. This is especially powerful as therapy in a home-based environment is a more natural and less threatening environment than a school room or a therapist’s office location. This approach would open the pathway to an increased utilization of robots in autism behavior interventions which in turn expands the number of hours that can be applied to therapies and skills development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Much is being said and written about the impacts, advantages and threats that the advent of the age of robots has and will have on our society and culture. And, those discussions and debates are important and vital to our perceptions and our thinking. However, I believe that the use of robots in therapeutic sessions for autism and many other conditions will only continue to develop and expand. The major objections to the advancement of robots in the medical arena I encounter are (1) robots remove the human touch (2) robots are to expensive and (3) robots will take my job away. To which I observe that we adopt the use of X-ray machines and MRI machines which improve on our human constraints, and that costs will overtime, be reduced as adoption grows and the need for workers in robot related fields will expand, creating jobs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What I rarely hear is that robot mediated behavior does not work. Experience the child with autism in front of a robot and you will see the real joy of engagement. It is that experience that makes for the passion to continuously work to advance robot-mediated behavior intervention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*Michael D. Radice is Chairman, Technology Advisory Board of ChartaCloud Technologies / Robotteca<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-82198832128640575572018-09-07T13:58:00.003-07:002018-09-07T13:58:47.197-07:00Robots Can Inspire.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
Having been in technologies for far too many years to mention, I have always been amazed at the discovery of the unexpected paths when new technologies are introduced. Two recent studies have proven once again, that introducing a new technology, in this case, a robot, into a sector can generate new and innovative approaches to doing things.</div>
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In the first instance, using robots to teach children seems like the right idea and the right approach. Using robots to teach children expands available instructional resources and robots have the patience to repeat and re-iterate until the correct answer to a question is provided by a student. These are just a few of the attributes of ‘teaching’ robots. There are many more of course. But researchers are discovering that turning the tables can make for a great learning experience. Have the children teach the robot! This approach is the result of an expanding field of robotics studies and a class of robots called “Care Receiving Robots” (CCR). Children take on the task of helping the robot learn to do something and by doing so learn the subject themselves. Suddenly, the number of potential ideas for such an approach is seemingly endless.</div>
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In a similarly structured project that I am involved with, students are challenged with a planetary exploration where the robots are on a remote planet, but the students need to solve problems or overcome challenges managed from their Earth-bound operations Center. They need to teach the robots to explore the planet and prepare the new planet’s base of operations in anticipation of humans arriving on the planet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In another sector, autism, it is deemed beneficial to utilize robots in the delivery of robot-mediated behavior intervention in autism. The approach has been to provide the robots as an augmented resource to/with a professional therapist to deliver the intervention session. Here again, researchers have determined that it is possible and beneficial for family members themselves to use the robot in their homes and thereby expand the amount of therapeutic time that can be given to a child with autism. This is especially powerful as therapy in a home-based environment is a more natural and less threatening environment than a school room or a therapist’s office location. This approach now opens the pathway to an increased utilization of robots in autism behavior interventions which in turn expands the number of hours that can be applied to therapies and skills development.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, there we have it, inspirations. Children teaching robots and robots in the home doing therapies. These are just two examples of what I have seen time and time again or as the old showman’s saying goes, when it comes to robots: “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Mike is Chairman of the Technology Advisory for ChartaCloud ROBOTTECA</i></div>
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Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-81558655573655647252018-07-06T10:03:00.005-07:002018-07-06T10:03:52.604-07:00Top 5 Advances Needed in Robot-mediated Behavior Intervention Technology in autism and Why We Need Them<div class="MsoNormal">
The number of children diagnosed and thus impacted by autism continues to rise, and staggeringly so. Recall, that in 1985 children with autism was estimated to be 1 in 2500. Ten years later in 1995, it was 1 in 500. The CDC now estimates (2018) 1 in 59. Associated lifetime costs have risen past $3 million dollars. Medicaid costs for children with autism is reported to be 6 times the normal at over $10,000.00 per year. ABA therapy at $120.00 per hour for 10 hours of therapy per week, puts therapy cost at an annual rate of over $50,000. per year. 80% of children with autism are in divorced families. <b>The human costs over a life time? Special living requirements? Employment potential? Lost productivity? Social lifestyle impacts? How can these be quantified?</b></div>
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<i>To even have a chance at mitigating these impacts early intervention is critical. The efficacy of early interventions are, therefore, even more critical.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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The utilization of social robots in autism behavior especially in early intervention is an emerging and powerful force. The past initial phases of academic research clearly demonstrated that ‘robots’ can be an effective resource used in behavior intervention therapies. We now face the challenge of further developing hardware, software and curriculum that improves upon and enables the transfer of robot-mediated behavior intervention technologies to be more broadly used and more cost-effectively deployed to therapists, special education professionals, school teachers and, yes, even to parents, guardians and family caregivers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bottom line is that current intervention methods and resources are not sufficient to address the growing need. As technologists working with autism experts we can and must do more with robots.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>What is needed?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I helped organize and conduct a just completed workshop held under the auspices of Carnegie Mellon University’s 2018 Robotic Sciences and Systems Conference in June 2018. The workshop was designed to specifically address this very subject. Participants from academia, education and the robotics industry joined-in to contribute their thoughts about the current state and the future design requirements needed to support the advancement of robot-mediated behavior intervention.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Robot-mediated behavior intervention needs to advance to the next level with:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">1 1. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">More software behavior ‘APPS’ for use with the robots – especially for early age (3-6) use</span><br /><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">APPS that are highly customizable to the ‘speed, sound and voice interaction’ needs and capacities of individual children</span><br /><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Robotic platforms that are less disrupted by the environmental conditions of ‘light and noise’</span><br /><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">4.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Advanced technological response interfaces for ‘non-verbal’ children</span><br /><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">5.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">More accurate and more comprehensive data collection progress and performance data capture facility built into the ‘APPS’</span><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p></div>
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The full list is longer but the above five will help significantly move ‘progress and adoption’ measures. The next major technological phase will be machine-based learning algorithms that designs in real time, custom therapy interventions. I will soon address that subject in a future blog.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Michael Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory of ChartaCloud | ROBOTTECA and can be reached at mike@chartacloud.com</i></div>
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Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-27268029517870371332018-06-14T09:11:00.002-07:002018-06-14T09:11:43.020-07:00How One Robot Can Transform A Library and Its Community<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">While there is a lot of justifiable discussion about the pros and cons of a future world cohabited with robots, one thing is clear – positive outcomes are being achieved. It seems every day we see a new leap forward in robot construct, artificial intelligence, machine learning object manipulation and facial and emotional visual recognition being exhibited by robots. As someone who is immersed in the world of social robots and robot process automation the pace of innovation I see is staggering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Equally wondrous in the world of social robots is the creative manners they are being put to use. That too takes imagination. The proliferation of use cases is now significantly expanding beyond proto-typical research. True uses are now being substantiated and legitimized. When one first encounters a social robot the most prevalent question is what can it do? Many times, the environment is a clue to that answer and sets expectations. Encounter a robot behind the concierge desk in a hotel and you expect it can make dinner reservations, get you tickets to a play or make a golf tee time. This is happening. Encounter a robot in a retail cosmetics store and you would expect cosmetic advice based on its perception of your style and ‘facial’ attribute composition. Happening. Encounter a robot in an art gallery and you would expect expert advice and counsel on the art pieces being displayed. This is happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Imagination gets even better. I have experienced seeing a NAO<sup>(1)</sup> social humanoid robot in a community library and all-of-a-sudden they had an exciting and engaging community digital literacy program. Library traffic and value perception of the library went way up. (Think fundraising.) One robot can serve multiple audiences. In another library, it also became a resource for the local school such that students can do STEM robotics programming assignments at home or in school and then come to the library to test them out on the robot. Parents that have children with autism go to the library to use the robot to do their own ABA/pivotal response training and social skills development exercises and interventions. Art groups are planning to conduct robot performances. The robot becomes a knowledgeable spokesperson, information resource, and presenter for special community educational events. So, this too is happening, and it is engaging and transformative. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Local businesses, community fellowship groups, church groups and individual donors now have a unique opportunity to positively impact their communities with – one robot. One robot causing good things to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Grotesque",sans-serif;">Mike Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud | ROBOTTECA www.robotteca.com. <b>(1)</b> NAO is a product of Softbank Robotics.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-65052541032553400232018-05-21T08:43:00.004-07:002018-05-21T08:43:57.328-07:00Observations on the New Era of Retail Brand Management and Humanoid Robots<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<o:p> </o:p>Driven by the introduction of humanoid style social robots we are rapidly entering a new era of consumer engagement and with it a new opportunity for marketers and retailers to secure competitive advantage. The initial introductory phases of robots in consumer engagement models have been mostly about fast food restaurants where they work as receptionists/order takers, in consumer banking as product concierge spokespersons, and in airports as information guides. While that will continue, more businesses engaged in a wider variety of consumer ‘retailing’ are finding the use of robots simply too compelling to ignore.</div>
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The driving factor is not that robots are less expensive than humans or are being used to replace workers. The real driving factors are that businesses can learn from the robot’s interactions with consumers at a speed and at a depth not possible via human staff and that consumers can benefit from the knowledge conveyed by the robot. Paper-based consumer survey information or store based data collection/extraction exercises can take months to filter and categorize. Today’s technologies enable that time to be reduced to minutes. A properly designed robot used in a consumer retail ‘brand management’ engagement model will add significant value to the consumer relationship and a competitive advantage to the business.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The lure of humanoid robots in a retail settings rests on the robot’s attraction and engagement power. Consumers are drawn to the aura of an interaction with a humanoid robot and the robot’s mobility to ‘meet and greet’ and even lead them on the route through the store to the product of their choice. More deeply is the anthropomorphic effect whereby people trust robots in many instances more than humans.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The digital toolset of consumer engagement platforms that already includes smartphones, chatbots, computer tablets, laptops, interactive digital kiosks has now expanded to add humanoid retail / concierge robots.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A few examples set the stage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A robot ‘sommelier’ in a wine store that can recommend a wine respective of your taste and price range having recognized you as a returning previous purchaser and knowing your prior experiences would certainly enhance the loyalty and satisfaction of the customer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A robot in a cosmetics or clothing store that can communicate the ‘hottest’ colors based on the current preferences of ‘celebrities’ or even identify the specific fashion being worn by a celebrity and motivate a purchase suggestion in that store would certainly add to the desirability of shopping there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With a robot interaction, however, we can now instantly discover quantitative and qualitative data that can guide and refine our consumer engagement strategy. Properly designed the qualitative element of a robot-based engagement model would enable us to learn/assess/ estimate: age; gender and language for example. Quantitatively, we could learn ‘hot topic’/ issue preferences or the appearance of new or increased demand for certain items or styles etc. and even the emotional posture of the consumer. Decisions about inventory and sales promotions become ever more knowledge-based and data-driven.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What this means is that the engineering of successful future robot-based consumer engagement application design will need to embrace new concepts for consumer engagement, an extensive embrace of gamification strategies, access to third-party information resources, real-time data logging, artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Furthermore, for larger retailers the need to manage a ‘fleet’ of deployed robots from a central location becomes critical. The essential rules for all adopters of robots in retail will be to be sure to frequently and constantly refresh the robot’s general interaction script with new versions, items and news as no one will be stimulated to revisit a boring repetitive robot; and ever strive to raise the level of personal engagement and gamification. The more custom the engagement interaction to the individual consumer the more powerful the model e.g. show your loyalty card to the robot to prompt it to recall the specific ink cartridge that you need for that printer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Michael Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud and Robotteca.com and a provider of the leading software for Pepper.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-45125871479222727492018-04-21T13:28:00.003-07:002018-04-21T14:53:20.353-07:00How Four Companies from Four Countries Forged The Powerful Robot-mediated Behavior Intervention Solution Platform for autism.<br />
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This week was a landscape changing moment for the advancement
of Robot-mediated Behavior Intervention for autism. Three years ago, I discovered
that as nation we faced an epidemic in the growth of the number of children impacted
with autism. Like many others I thought of autism as only a childhood disease. As
I learned more, I came to understand the impact that autism has on the entire
lives of children and their families. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And,
that these ‘children’ must face the challenge of learning the skills needed to become
a self-sufficient, independent adult. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came
to understand that autism is not a disease and that it is a human condition. I
have been continually motivated by the dedication of the many therapists, school
teachers and parents that I have met along the way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to see if and what role technology might
play in helping meet the challenges.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In my opinion there exists an abundance of researchers and
clinicians that contribute mightily to the ‘science’ of diagnosis and care
strategies. What I felt was missing was a strategy for those delivering the
care. What was currently being done was not sufficiently scalable to meet the
rapidly escalating need. The growing volume of the requirements for care are over-whelming
the existing care giving resource model. This is true on multiple fronts.
Trained care givers are growing in short supply in proportion to the need. Institutions
are unable to subsidize the increasing costs of professional care delivery. The
medical re-imbursement and insurance systems are playing catch-up while families
struggle to afford early diagnosis and arrange early care. Early care being one
of the best mediations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Even on the corporate front the recognition that a new model
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Corporate programs are starting to emerge. If employing
individuals on the autism spectrum is becoming a need and a value- based element
of corporate and community responsibility, then special educational and training
programs are needed to guide managers and create successful management policies
that positively embrace employees with autism in their employee base.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, the framework of a structural response by and with technology
started to reveal itself. I called it the 1-2-3 model and I searched the world
to build it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">One.</b> From <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Japan</b>, I landed upon the use of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NAO</i></b>
social robot from SoftBank Robotics to deliver robot-based mediated behavior
interventions. The NAO robot was engaging to many children with autism. The robots
were in many circumstances, calming. They were non-threatening. They didn’t tire.
They didn’t grow or convey frustration. They could be made to deliver sessions customized
to the needs and conditions of an individual child. And, they worked!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Two.</b> The next
step was to find a robot-based system that could be operated by non-technical
personnel in a common school classroom. That has now been accomplished with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">askNAO
</i></b>a computer tablet-based system from ERM Robotique in<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> France</b> that easily and quickly connects
to the robot and with ‘one touch icons’ be made to deliver an intervention session.
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Three.</b> A comprehensive
autism therapy practice management system was needed to improve the efficiency,
effectiveness and lower the cost of therapy practice operations and care delivery.
Integration with the robot and the behaviors was needed. That is now available with
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TN
ActiveCare</i></b> from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Canadian</b> Company
TN NORTH.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So here we are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ChartaCloud ROBOTTECA</i></b> in the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">U.S.</b> now deploying, installing and training
end users on a platform that can deliver results in autism therapies, expand
delivery resource capacity and lower delivery costs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I call what has happened - landscape changing. If you would
like to learn more about the detailed elements of this platform please message me
at <a href="mailto:mike@chartacloud.com">mike@chartacloud.com</a> I’d be happy
to send you a detailed solution brief.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mike Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory Board of ChartaCloud
| ROBOTTECA www.robotteca.com<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-28249079511236034172018-03-06T08:00:00.000-08:002018-03-06T08:00:07.247-08:00My Five Most Amazing Moments with A Robot<br />
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As I continue to engage in the ‘real world’ of robot use
cases…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">oh? what do I mean ‘real world’? </i>–
I mean the actual things that are truly being done, really happening…not theory,
not speculations…real stuff, happening every day. The robot I spend most of my
time with is the NAO robot from Softbank Robotics.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amazing Moment #1:</b>
A Child in a hospital pediatric ward struggling with muscular dystrophy. This child
refused to leave his wheel chair for weeks. But once having interacted with NAO
and having been invited by NAO to get out of his wheel chair to sit with NAO on
the floor and have his picture taken with NAO – he did just that! A stunningly
powerful moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amazing Moment #2: </b>A
child with autism, unfocused and erratic was introduced and engaged with NAO.
Calm, focus, joy and delight resulted. Because NAO is available in his public library
he now visits once week and is studiously progressing in learning about how to program
NAO and will soon test his work out at the library. Transformative.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amazing Moment #3: </b>An
eight-year-old, via his parents, contacted me and wanted to share the teaching applications
he had developed for his school. It was some of the best quality work I had seen.
Amazing yes, at eight years old!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amazing Moment #4: </b>I
was with NAO when he walked out on a stage in front of 7,000 people. Yes, seven-thousand
and delivered a show stopping performance. I was very jealous not because NAO
was the star but because there was no nervousness, no hesitation, no stage fright
on NAO’s part. I seem to recall that he looked at me and conveyed…” Come on we
can do this!” Amazing!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amazing Moment #5: </b>While
visiting a Skilled Nursing Facility for the elderly. NAO was used to play a few
games and lead a group exercise session. The rejuvenated animation of the
elders was overly evident. The proof was that when the session was over, they
clamored to want to know when NAO was returning, and could they sit and engage with
him (I say him… but who knows…) for a while longer! Hold his hand and take a walk
with him. Exciting moments in an otherwise drearily routine day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The point is, putting aside all the talk and the arguments about
robots and what our robot future will be like, we can lose sight that when you
are in the real world amazingly wonderful things are happening.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There is a reason that NAO remains the most popular humanoid
robot. Above are just a few examples of why.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mike Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory for ChartaCloud |ROBOTTECA
See: <a href="http://www.robotteca.com/">www.robotteca.com</a> and <a href="https://robotteca.blogspot.com/">https://robotteca.blogspot.com/</a> for more
information and articles.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-36134950625342180612017-12-27T14:23:00.004-08:002017-12-27T15:51:27.707-08:005 Real Life Examples of How A Robot Enhances Lives<br />
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<o:p> </o:p>There is a lot of discussion and debate about how robots are
job threatening or cannot replace what people do. While this remains a bona-fide
subject for on-going discussion, the fact is that my real-world experience is
that there are significant enhancements that the NAO robot brings to the lives
of many. Granted, the NAO robot which is a product of SoftBank Robotics, is a
passion of mine, none-the-less, I feel compelled to leap into this discussion with
real life examples of how we are better off with NAO. How NAO is making a real-world
difference and a true contribution to what we do and how we live.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s look at five examples:<o:p></o:p></div>
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NAO is clinically proven to reduce pain and anxiety in children
facing hospital based medical procedures. Child Life Specialist are utilizing NAO
in hospitals across North America as an assisted care giver, helping in the treatment
and care of children. I know that the children, their caregivers and their parents
are quite pleased and excited with the presence of NAO and the attendant reduction
in pain and anxiety in children. This is a very good thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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NAO is at the center of robot-mediated behavior intervention
therapies for children on the autism spectrum. One only needs to see and experience
the engagement, excitement and progress of these autistic children once engaged
with NAO. Therapists and families gain a clear sense that NAO not only works
but helps significantly. Hundreds of NAO’s work every day alongside teachers
and therapists in autism therapies. It is good to see a happy and engaged autistic
child.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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NAO is at work in over 200 skilled nursing facilities for
eldercare. NAO leads exercises sessions, leads games, leads dances, engages in cognitive
dialogues and keeps elders informed. Not only is life more exciting for eldercare
residents with NAO but I often see the impact upon children wanting to more often
visit their aging grandparents ‘because the robot is there!’. Spend a moment in
such a facility with NAO and you would see how the ‘day in the life’’ of an
isolated resident becomes more engaging and yes, even transformative. Elderly residents
and their caregivers love what NAO brings to their lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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NAO is in hundreds of classrooms working with teachers and children
teaching a full curriculum of lessons in math, science, technology, engineering
and arts. NAO provides an engaging and exciting environment that draws the attention
of children to learning in a manner more consistent with their experience and
expectations in their digital worlds. Teachers enjoy the energy and magnetism NAO
creates when learning, a magnetism that excites children about giving their
attention to learning new things and re-enforcing previous lessons.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lastly, it should not go unstated that there are of
course many researchers, engineers and developers that benefit from their work
in creating and building NAO robots and NAO applications. <o:p></o:p><br />
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So, there we have it. Five true life examples of how a robot enhances the lives of people.</div>
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The world is a better place with a NAO robot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Mike Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory of ChartaCloud ROBOTTECA.com</i></div>
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Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-79813961989422840672017-11-15T11:39:00.003-08:002017-11-15T13:04:54.983-08:00Robots Conquering the Frontiers of autism and Technology<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The number of children impacted by autism continues to grow.
This means a life time of challenges as these children strive to become
independent and self-supporting adults. Early intervention can have a
significant positive impact on the shape and richness of their future. Having
resources that helps parents and teachers as well, cope with the very real challenges
and burdens that they jointly face can also be a contributor to a family, home
and learning environment that is more calm, nurturing and progressive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At ChartaCloud | ROBOTTECA we are committed to our passion of
breaking through to the new and ever-expanding potential that the new frontiers
of technology offer in autism breakthroughs - in research, clinical studies and
in robot-mediated behavior intervention therapies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To advance this initiative we organized and hosted the first <b><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Interdisciplinary Workshop for Robot-mediated Behavior Intervention</span></b><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-themecolor: accent1;"> </span>and brought together leading researchers and clinicians
to share their ‘state-of-the<span style="color: #4472c4; mso-themecolor: accent1;">-</span>art’ findings
and progress in applied robot based technology for autism therapies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">You can see recordings of this
workshop at </span><a href="http://www.rmbiworkshop.com/"><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.rmbiworkshop.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #44546a; font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BOTTOM LINE WORKSHOP FINDING: The use of a robot creates communication
breakthroughs and lasting positive impact upon and for children with autism. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">There are two proven, leading
options for robot mediated behavior interventions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The NAO robot
from SoftBank Robotics<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Milo robot
from RoboKind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Using the NAO Robot offers
multiple pathway resources in support of this discipline. With the NAO robot you
can:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Create your own custom robot behaviors for child
unique intervention sessions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Utilize the leading resource library of
pre-programmed intervention robot behaviors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The NAO Robot is a proven performer in autism. NAO is
engaging and tireless in its interactions, and creates an immediate sense of
enthusiasm, connectivity, responsiveness and joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Milo Robot is a robot specifically designed for autism engagement
therapies. Milo with its unique ‘facial expression’ technology allows Milo to
model facial emotions. Milo can speak, smile, laugh and walk. Milo creates immediate
engagement allowing the effective delivery of a comprehensive, evidence-based
social curriculum. In fact, students with ASD engage with Milo at rates as high
as 90% compared with only 3% engagement with humans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Working continuously with the world’s autism technology
leaders in robotics we provide a comprehensive and ever-evolving ‘ecology of
behaviors’ that you can draw upon. With these behaviors use of these robots by
non-technical users is easily accomplished which means that the robot can also
be used in conventional classroom settings and do double duty as the
platform for STEM educational curricula.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mike
Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud | ROBOTTECA<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7808877472264378567.post-36824831951295780712017-10-28T12:55:00.001-07:002017-10-28T13:23:47.253-07:00Autistic Persons: the “Star-gate” Guides to Artificial Intelligence<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is increasingly
being recognized that many individuals on the spectrum have significant potential
and value as computer code developers, as programmers. Factually, several major
technology companies have established focused corporate programs to embrace and
develop the potential of this unique human resource. It is becoming ever more understood
that autistic persons are another type of true person – an autistic person, and
as such in many instances they possess extraordinary insight and focus. I
believe that the present, conventional view of an autistic individual as simply a
great programmer is about to change and change dramatically. Why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are a
very few things if any, in today’s world of technology that garners more
attention than the advance and the future of artificial intelligence (AI) ‘systems’.
From Stephan Hawking to Elon Musk to Bill Gates it seems, everyone has an
opinion about its dangers and benefits to mankind. My view is that AI does
represent a potential path forward for the salvation of a human race that seems
to have missed the opportunity to save “its” planet or have moved soon enough and
fast enough to prepare an escape to populate another planet in our solar system.
AI represents another opportunity. The merits of differing views are a debate
for another day. The march towards AI will continue. It is here that autistic
individuals with their unique facilities will soon be found to be our “Star-gate
guides”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the
most intense sectors of focus is on the integration and embedding of AI in the development
of humanoid robots. Let’s look at this for a moment. Here, we are trying to get
these robots to ‘learn’ how to interface with humans, how to recognize the
emotional state of a human, how to understand its own environment - in sum,
embody a ‘cognitive capacity’. IBM offers the following attributes to help define
cognitive embodiment: personalization, liveness, agency, and presence. In
essence, we are trying to overcome and develop in robots much of the very same challenges
autistic individuals face every day. I think you see my point…who better to advance
AI than individuals with practiced insights in how to actually address these
exact challenges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe that
we will see technology prone autistic individuals leap to the next level one that
is above basic computer programming by being our guides in the emerging world
of robots and AI. Who better to teach than an experienced individual? My faith
in humanity’s destiny</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">is that we have been given in some autistic persons
the knowledge and insights to help us get it right.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mike Radice is Chairman of the
Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud ROBOTTECA More can be seen about Mike
on LinkedIN and about ROBOTTECA at</span></i> <a href="http://www.robotteca.com/">www.robotteca.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
Robottecahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01164163186548753125noreply@blogger.com0