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Humanoid that Speaks in Sign Language Unveiled by Japanese Tech Company Toshiba

Humanoid that Speaks in Sign Language Unveiled by Japanese Tech Company Toshiba

Toshiba recently unveiled its new humanoid robot that can communicate through sign language at the Cutting-Edge IT & Electronics Comprehensive Exhibition (CEATEC), which is currently on display in Chiba, Japan. The company called its creation a “communication android” and named it Aiko Chihira.

Sign language speaker

The communication android is just one of the many technological innovations that have been unveiled by Toshiba and other tech companies at the exhibition. Toshiba’s robot is powered by an air compressor and an air-servo system, and it has been created for maximum fluidity of movement in its arms and hands through the use of 43 actuators in its joints. 15 of these are located in the robot’s head, to enable the generation of a variety of facial expressions. The actuators allow the robot to create the gestures needed for communication in the Japanese sign language.

Still limited in range

The prototype is still limited in its ability to communicate. It is only capable of mimicking a sign language interpreter’s simple movements, such as greetings, while lip synching a pre-recorded message. Toshiba has big plans for the android though, and the company hopes to develop a full communication robot by the year 2020, which would include robotic control, speech recognition, speech synthesis, and other robotic sensors.

End goal

According to Hitoshi Tokuda, Manager of the Marketing Group and New Business Development Division of Toshiba, the robot team is planning to use the technology in the service industry. The inventors also hope to create humanoids that can be employed as conversational companions for elderly people, particularly those who are suffering from dementia. Tokuda explained that the android could also be connected to doctors’ offices to aid in tele-counseling. The machine could furthermore enable family members and healthcare workers to keep a close watch on the elderly.

Tokuda said that future plans also include a version that would be able to do American Sign Language (ASL). This could present a challenge because the English alphabet will have to be used. Tokuda hopes that they can launch an American version of the robot at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2015, and he further envisions that Aiko can be used as a receptionist robot at exhibitions by 2015.

Human looks

The communication android, at least the prototype that was unveiled during the exhibition, looked very calm and friendly. It was dressed in nice clothes, with shoulder-length hair and eyes that blink, as well as other human-like movements. It was developed by Toshiba in collaboration with Osaka University, which has a long tradition of robotic innovation. The robot’s driving technologies, as well as the sensor-based motion-teaching technologies, were provided by the Shonan Institute of Technology and the Shibaura Institute of Technology. The algorithm to control and coordinate the actuators of the robot was created by Toshiba.

Inspiration for the design

The creation of the communication android was inspired by a message from the company’s in-house message board, where employees are encouraged to send ideas for new services and products. The sender proposed the creation of a robot that could communicate in sign language. Toshiba’s president, Hisao Tanaka, personally liked that idea, which brought about Aiko’s development. As a reflection of the hopes for the new android, the robot’s name translates to the act of looking beyond the immediate horizon and striving for world peace.

Image credit: Toshiba’s communication android that uses Japanese sign language taken by Tim Hornyak

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