Peer robot
At the 20 17 World Robotics Congress, various robots appeared one after another. Multi-axis mechanical arm, logistics robot that can move things, service robot that can help order food ... One kind worthy of attention is companion robot, as its name implies, its main function is companionship.
Jaco, a doctor in robotics and an expert in robotics and artificial intelligence at the University of Florida in the United States, said in an interview with the China Science Journal that companion robots are one of the mainstream research directions in the industry at present, including children, the elderly and even pets.
"At present, the most active is the child companion robot. Modern life is fast-paced and stressful. Parents are busy with work and neglected to accompany them. Children like robots. "
Iflytek's Alpha Egg is such a child companion robot. "Egg" is about 26 cm tall, with a white body and a sense of science and technology. The overall shape is like a round egg, and there is a 5-inch high-definition screen on the lovely head, which can display expressions and information, which is very attractive.
Although Alpha Egg is small, it has great skills. It integrates multiple functions such as education, super tv, video call, intelligent speaker and natural language interactive robot. Children are curious, and daily life is a "100,000 whys", while parents rarely become "mobile encyclopedias". The companion robot combined with artificial intelligence technology can solve most problems. Children can ask whatever they want, whether it is Tang poetry and Song poetry or mathematical English, "Danzi" can ask and answer questions.
Combined with deep learning network, "Egg" can also form a unique knowledge map according to daily interaction, and create a multi-intelligence and whole-brain thinking mode. Through the interaction between children and robots, parents can also discover their children's thinking advantages. As for the function of being an alarm clock and listening to music, it is natural. At the end of last year, Alpha Egg launched crowdfunding in JD.COM, and the amount reached 1 10,000 yuan in just half a month. Tens of thousands of people participate in crowdfunding, which shows the popularity of accompanying robots.
Lonely human beings
When it comes to companion robots, many people will have scenes in the sci-fi movie "She" in their minds. It sounds incredible that a man falls in love with an advanced artificial intelligence operating system, but it is likely to be realized in the near future. This kind of companionship is efficient and labor-saving, but many people who have seen movies have the same feeling: the hero looks so lonely.
Man is a gregarious animal. In various cultural systems, social isolation or solitary confinement is often used as a punishment. Extreme examples prove that among infants, infants who lack human contact often cannot thrive or even die. A study by Brigham Young University in Utah found that relationships with family and society can reduce the risk of death by 50%. Researcher Holt-Lunstad pointed out: "It is generally believed that communication with others is the basic need of human beings in social relations. This is crucial to our physical and mental health and survival. "
According to a survey conducted by the Australian charity International Lifeline for 20 16 years, about 82% of Australians said that their loneliness has increased. Its chief executive, Pete Shmigel, said that the number of suicide deaths in Australia has reached the highest level in 10 years. The organization pointed out that the more lonely people are, the more likely they are to drink, smoke, abuse drugs, take drugs and even commit suicide.
However, various social networking sites do not seem to ideally strengthen the emotional connection between people. To make matters worse, many people feel even more lonely. Research by the University of Pittsburgh shows that although social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat allow people to communicate, they actually make people feel lonely.
The study pointed out that if we spend too much time on social media, "it may lead to jealousy and a distorted idea, which will make us feel that others are happier and more successful." The results show that people who use social media for more than two hours a day are more likely to feel socially isolated than those who spend half an hour a day on social media.
In fact, with the help of existing technology and equipment, science and technology have demonstrated its ability and charm. "For example, applying VR technology to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease can show the previous life scenes. Not necessarily a robot. With the help of various technical means, it becomes a good partner for the elderly to communicate with their old friends, children and even parents. These technical means can reduce people's workload and better focus on management work and emotional related work. " Jaco said.