Robo teacher programmer

Robo teacher programmer

Call “robot teacher” a robot used to assist or, if necessary, replace a teacher in teaching duties. The concept can immediately create a strong rejection, or the teachers, or the parents. We’ll talk about dehumanization. To judge specifically, it should be held that the full-scale experiments. It is not currently possible in France: robotics receives little support. Otherwise, we can try to assess the achievements that way in Japan and Korea, two countries that robotics is considered a very promising future.

Recall that Japan has always strongly supported the development of what is called the “robot dog”, designed to assist the disabled or elderly do domestic tasks and ensure the reception.

The Japanese government has recently invested tens of millions of euros in this area and would like the robots enter the Japanese households by 2015. As well as some studies consider that in 10 years, Japan will have one robot for 10 Japanese, including all robots (industrial, scientific or domestic).

Initially encouraged to address the aging of the population and prevent the use of immigration, robotics is now considered of strategic interest, in view of the future that all experts predict it in the coming decades. The domestic market is referred as the export. The robot at school is therefore considered in Japan as a good way to accustom the young that will be tomorrow’s society, so that they can exploit all the possibilities.

Korea following at any point the Japanese example, for the same reasons and also not to fall behind Japan in the conquest of foreign markets. The United States is funding their many side projects, with much less publicity. Their investments are primarily intended for robotic or civil security military purposes.

Concrete experiences

The Western press has mentioned two projects now that deserve the attention of the Educational faculty, including France, against the teachings of all kinds that may arise.

To discuss with relevant, it must have in mind the current capabilities of humanoid robots called autonomous, that is to say, they are able to show themselves mobility, adaptability and behavior of smart guy. These robots have also “sensory organs” and motors that allow them to integrate with flexibility in human societies. We can not discuss in this article.

We must also take into account the rapid development of technology. The consideration is the cost. Prototypes are usually not affordable by the civil authorities, except to be very largely funded by corporations or foundations.

 

Japan

The experiment, which was much talk for three years already, took the face of robotics professor named “Saya”. Saya has been developed for the past fifteen years by Hiroshi Koyabashi and a team from the University of Tokyo. Presented in 2005 in receptionist duties, it is being tested since 2008 in a primary school in Tokyo. .

With a latex mask driven by 18 motors, professor manifest a range of moods, as would a teacher in the flesh. If adults say initially a little reserved, it seems instead that children feel immediately at ease, without manipulating the machine may put down.

Of course, for the moment, a human teacher supervises the experience and takes note of the conclusions to be drawn. Like many other robots, Saya has developed an artificial intelligence that enables understanding and synthesis of image and speech and appropriate gestures. A knowledge base is connected to it by which it can transmit an unlimited amount of information, much in the style of call centers.

South Korea

Within two years, 400 primary schools in Korea are equipped with a slightly different robot Saya, but less aesthetic. In its current form, the robot looks like a wheeled machine headed duck. No effort has been made ​​to give it a nice human form.

The robot will not take charge of a class, but will be able to read, to give English classes including pronunciation and will incorporate many interactive exercises. Through it, parents can view the remote class and send messages to their children.

If this wizard is useful, it will be some 8,000 robots of this type of equip Korean schools in 2013. Mr. Mun Sang Kim, director of the Intelligent Robotics at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology is mainly in charge of this program. This scientist has a team of 300 people and a budget – mostly government – 100 million. The aim is primarily to teach English, given the lack of competent English teachers. The presence of the human teacher is still the rule, but trials are now conducted to ensure telepresence Internet.

Conclusion

With regard to France, where, as we have said, the autonomous robot still has no serious official aid. But we believe that engage in one or more pilot academic experiments using robots of great interest, on the one hand for education itself, the other for robotics.

Robo teacher programmer