Thursday, June 14, 2018

How One Robot Can Transform A Library and Its Community

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.

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.

Imagination gets even better. I have experienced seeing a NAO(1) 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.

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.


Mike Radice is Chairman of the Technology Advisory Board for ChartaCloud | ROBOTTECA www.robotteca.com. (1) NAO is a product of Softbank Robotics.