Robots, this time it's personal
Dan Goleman of Misty Robotics discusses building a developer platform and personalized social robots with a Web Summit host.
In this talk
- 0:31
A platform for practical robot skills
Misty’s developer platform is meant to let people create skills for homes and offices, since the company cannot predict every useful application. Dan describes a compact robot with movement, vision, and audio that can handle many tasks without bulky arms. Proposed skills include greeting visitors, medication reminders, coaching, and air quality checks.
- 3:18
Developers shape the applications
How a robot monitors medication depends on the skill its developer creates; different developers could approach it in different ways. Misty I had already shipped to developers, and Dan says its forum community actively requests features. Misty II was listed at $2,399, with shipping expected soon.
- 4:25
Personality that adapts to its owner
Misty Robotics is developing a personality engine that affects how the robot responds and expresses itself. Its motions are generated dynamically, with changes in speed, direction, and variation reflecting its internal state. Dan says future adaptation could reinforce behaviors an owner responds to positively, while keeping learning local to each robot and limiting undesirable personality traits.
- 7:04
Social behavior and useful work
Dan says small gestures, such as tilting its head, can help people feel attached to a robot. Social cues also make robots easier to work with because people can interact more naturally. He sees robots helping with dull, dirty, or dangerous tasks, from moving items around an office to entering unsafe spaces for search and rescue.
- 9:38
Sensors, privacy, and future robots
Misty uses a structured light sensor to build a 3D map, a camera for face detection, obstacle lights, and touch sensors. Dan says the robot processes its current operations onboard, while developers can choose to make third-party API calls. He expects future robots to become larger and more dexterous, with personalized character taking priority over a lifelike human appearance.
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