AI interpretation robot to help PyeongChang Olympics next year
'Human-like' robots will be able to emulate various facial expressions
By Lee Min-hyung
Hancom is set to unveil a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robot interpreter for use at the PyeongChang Winter Games next year, the office software company said Thursday.
The Seoul-based outfit has teamed up with a robot manufacturer, FutureRobot, to develop the state-of-the-art robot equipped with GenieTalk, Hancom’s interpretation software. FutureRobot, for its part, will manufacture human-like robots that can emulate various facial expressions, taking advantage of its big data-based knowhow.
“The AI robot will be used to guide foreign visitors at the Winter Games,” a Hancom spokeswoman said. “This will allow them to feel as if they are talking to a human being, as both firms focused on developing an emotionally interactive robot in terms of its service and appearance.”
The company hopes the robot will raise its global profile in the firm’s top-five target markets — South America, the Middle East, Russia, China and India.
GenieTalk offers translation services in 29 languages including English, Chinese, Spanish and French, the official said. “The new robot interpreter will be able to offer nine languages including those most frequently spoken by the time the Olympics begin next year.”