Robot News: Meet Erica, Japan's new robotic news anchor!
The world of science fiction and the world we live in today are not so far apart it seems as the gap seems to narrow just a bit as each day passes!
Did you think in 2018 that there would already be robot citizens and news anchors running around? Did you know that driverless cars, automated flying drone taxis and electric semi trucks with autopilot function would dominate the news?
If the answer is no, you and I would be on the same page. The stuff of Star Trek, Star Wars and Total Recall is slowly becoming more real and its either adapt or protest, I see no other alternatives.
In today's article I will discuss Japan's newest robotic news anchor, Erica. She was designed to look like a lifelike 23 year old. What's more is that she may soon become a TV news anchor in Japan, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Hiroshi Ishiguro, the director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory at Osaka University created Erica in hopes that his android would replace a human news anchor on the airwaves as soon as April.
There are a few things that Erica the android does really well which may satisfy qualification requirements for the job. Firstly, the android can recite scripted writing and sit in a chair. If you haven't noticed, this is pretty much what news anchors do all day!
What may set Erica apart from other artificial intelligence, however, is her charisma, Ishiguro has said. Erica is capable of holding a conversation with humans, thanks to a combination of speech-generation algorithms, facial-recognition technology and infrared sensors that allow her to track faces across a room, the Daily Mail reported.
While she cannot move her arms yet, Erica can move her facial features, neck, shoulders and waist independently, Ishiguro Laboratories said, allowing her to respond to human speech with uncanny autonomy.
According to the Daily Mail, Erica has been described by her creator as being so lifelike that she could "have a soul."
I had trouble believing this when I read it but it certainly peaked my interest. Take a quick look at the video below and let me know what you thought of it in the comments section:
Based on my impressions of the video I think Erica has a long way to go before qualified to become a TV news anchor but I may just be too picky, who knows?
One thing that can not be disputed is that the pace of progress in the field of robotics has never been swifter and the breakthroughs computer scientists are making in AI and voice recognition will play a very important role in developing androids and robotic technology.
I've already been shocked at the progress made in 2017 and I would imagine that 2018 is going to hold even more surprises for technology lovers and haters alike.
What do you think about Erica? Does this android have what it takes to become a TV news anchor or do you think there's more work that needs to be done before it is suitable to do the task?
Thanks for reading @techblogger!
Source:
Meet Erica, Japan's Next Robot News Anchor - Live Science
Image Source:
Live Science
I'm afraid of the future. Everything is being automated & most of the jobs are also being replaced by robots.
The future is not bright but very dull. More Unemployment, More Diseases, More Laziness & what not. The robot would be getting more preference than humans if this continues. Technology is good & is a must but I fear this is going to effect the life of the humans negatively.
Be brave. If you don't like something that is changing, say it and speak your mind. The meek will not inherit the earth, only the strong have a claim on the future!
It's good, it's for the betterment of the world but I can only hope that the technology won't rule over the mankind.
Dystopia is near, if you want it. I’d much rather see children do the news, they are much more adorable and organic. In fact I would much rather see children run the world than AI, not children in adult bodies, actual children.
I try to present the news in an unbiased way but obviously my personal opinions make it into my posts as well. I'd rather not live in a dystopia but I feel the world has already become one in many ways. We must fight to stop it from declining even further into chaos!
I don’t need think you sounded biased. I was just using humor to cover up my discomfort at the news. I’m not against AI, I just don’t think we are mature enough to handle it.
Awesome! She looks like a real human. The age of terminator will be real haha
Wow sooner or later we going to lose our jobs to the robots!!!
A.I. and robotics are moving at a fast pace and this could change the world, with autonomous driving and smart technology runing around and automated assistance in our homes , things are changing fast, hope we dont end up with terminator
She's far too cute to be a terminator. Soon they will be making uglier models that look like Arnold to satisfy consumer demand for extinction style robots... Be patient!
The future of robot and artificial intelligence is here . Already a sex robot called Samantha is in the market . It's just a matter of time then the robots with be replacing humans . Instead of sending soldiers in the front lines , robots will be doing that work . It is a high time we embrace technology .
No doubt this is an awesome invention....This could change the world...But im afraid that Robots will replace the humans in future
Soon people - robots will enter our life this is undeniable...But here's how they will behave in the future it's baffling.Any glitch or hacking and there can be trouble!Good post good luck to you @techblogger !
I still like sophie better 😉😂
Well, I'm sure Erica and Sophia will be friends!
That would be something cool to see!
I don't know what the research and development funds are being used for in Korea. Other countries are developing ...Maybe we should focus quickly and develop good robots. Don't use the R&D funds when dining together.
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