Robbie the Robot 022

Robbie the Robot demonstrates a human-machine conversation using speech synthesis and natural language processing
Conversations have always tried to be mimicked by computers. However, In order for a human-machine conversation to occur successfully, the proper use and interpretation of words is needed through natural language processing and speech synthesis. This is demonstrated through the development of a new computer program, Robbie the Robot.

Robbie the Robot is a software application for Mac OS 10.5 developed by Erin Kennedy. This computer program demonstrates a human-machine conversation using speech synthesis and natural language processing.

With the use of language models and pre-programmed responses, Robbie has the ability to converse for a long time, while being able to reflect on past responses, then slowly transition into new sub-conversations. In Mickey Mouse terms... Robbie is kind of like a Furby, however has less potential to become exceedingly annoying. It comes off as more intelligent, too. (No offence Furbys!)

Main features of Robbie the Robot:

Potential future uses of Robbie include:

Assisting children with autism to communicate

Using pre-programmed phrases that have a calming effect on pets

Allowing household staff to communicate with Robbie via VoIP

Serving as a vocal interface for people who are deaf

Helping people with Alzheimer's to keep their memory intact with precise quizzes and games

Assisting the communication between divers and people on the surface

Creating an accessable and simple emergency device for communication and conversation

Allowing a portable unit to navigate into dangerous situations and communicate

Communicating with undiscovered life-forms

Allowing military personnel to receive to receive live vocal updates

Allowing the creation of amiable robots

Personal laboratory assistant

Therepeutic devices in a stuffed animal for children

There are few reasons you should download Robbie the Robot:

Observing this technology, and interacting with it vocally, puts computers on a whole new scale.

You will be surprised how witty Robbie can be.

If you're feeling down, Robbie can help cheer you up as it also serves as a therapeutic device.

By downloading it, and completing the survey, you allow me to see what I can improve on.

Robbie simply looks cool!


Requirements of Robbie the Robot:

12 MB Free space

Microphone & Speakers

Using the Alex voice (Set in Speech Preferences)


Note: As a side-note, Robbie uses a big chunk (2.97 +- 0.03 GB) of virtual memory.