Robot actor talks, reacts with audience

If you’ve read this blog any time recently, you’ll notice that I generally like to point out some of the latest, most interesting (or slightly off-beat) applications and developments in the world of cameras, image processing, robots, and the like.

If you haven’t read the blog before, well, we cover everything from thecool, to the practical, to the downright ridiculous. In this particular case, I would say it falls somewhere in between.

While talking robots aren’t exactly a new concept (Star Wars, Dr. Who, et al.), whatisnew is the fact that they are real, and apparently, relatively good actors.

The robots, known as RoboThespians, are British robotic actors that are equipped with cameras, depth perception, and facial recognition. They are capable of reacting to an audience, adapting a script accordingly, and evenoffending certain theatre-goers.

RoboThespians, which are now in their third generation, were initially developed to serve education purposes, but they are now used for live stage performance purposes, as well as exhibition guide purposes.

Well isn’t that something. All these years of folks predicting talking robots are finally coming true. Looking back on it, you have to wonder if peopleknewthis could eventually be done, of if they were simply throwing out lofty prognostications. In some cases, it’s both.

These robots are even capable of recognizing gestures and saying hello. On their own! The robots, however, can be controlled remotely by using a tablet, so if I were to encounter one, I would be skeptical as to whether I was speaking with the actual robot, or if someone in the backroom was having a laugh at my expense. I suppose it’s cool regardless.