An Indian computer science teacher has created a robot that can speak 9 local Indian languages and 38 foreign languages.
Dinesh Patel undertook the home project, which he has named 'Shalu', after watching Bollywood movie 'Robot' and believes that it could be used in workplaces and as receptionists.
The robot can recite recipes, answer questions, read newspapers, and answer general knowledge questions. The body itself is made from wood, aluminium and a variety of other materials.
In total it cost around Rs. 50,000 ($669.08 USD).
Patel said of his invention:
"Shalu has been developed using waste materials like plastic, cardboard, wood, aluminum etc. It took three years to develop it and the expenditure was around Rs. 50,000 (~$669.08 USD).”
He added:
"Shalu can greet people, display emotions, read newspaper, recite recipes and perform many other activities. This can be used as a teacher in schools and as a receptionist in offices, too."
Here is a video of the robot in action:
Supratik Chakravarty, a Professor of computer science and engineering department, said of the invention:
"It is really a great development. Such a robot can be used in the field of education, entertainment and several other fields too. Shalu can be an inspiration for the next-gen scientists."
The online response to the robot was however less enthusiastic. With users saying:
"He just put Google voice assistant in a f-d up sex doll"
"He would have saved at least 1 year if the robot was just a speaker like thing, something like Alexa. But no, the man wanted a sex doll."
"Man puts an Alexa in papier mâché head."
"I don't intend to be mean, but she's scary, she looks like a dead corpse to me......."
"So an Alexa inside a cardboard box."
[h/t: 9gag]
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