Fudan University unveiled an emotional humanoid robot named Guanghua No. 1 on Thursday at the 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, China, showcasing its unique ability to display facial expressions.
In today's digital age, where innovation pushes the boundaries of imagination, humanity faces a momentous shift: the rise of intelligent machines. As our world advances rapidly in technology, a crucial question arises: what happens when robots not only fulfill our tasks but also grasp our feelings?
Fudan University unveiled an emotional humanoid robot named Guanghua No. 1 at the recent 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in China.Fudan University/x
Guanghua No. 1: An Emotional Humanoid Robot
At 165 cm tall and 62 kg, the Guanghua No. 1 innovative robot features 45 intelligent joints for smooth movement and an upright stance. Besides the intelligent joints, this humanoid robot features a sophisticated hierarchical generative brain model, enabling it to move fluidly and maintain an upright posture.
Its facial screen can express happiness, anger, sadness, and joy. Interesting Engineering reported that the robot was specifically developed to cater to the needs of China's aging population.
According to Gan Zhongxue, deputy dean of the Academy for Engineering & Technology at Fudan University, extensive market research identified elderly care as the primary application area for humanoid robots.
Their vision is to create a health companion that can deliver personalized and empathetic care to elderly individuals. The robot's development stemmed from a desire to address the emotional well-being of seniors.
The goal is to provide care beyond mechanical assistance, imbuing interactions with emotional intelligence and warmth similar to those of human family members.
Advancing Emotional Understanding Through Robotics
In recent years, institutions have focused on using advanced robotics to understand and address the emotional needs of humans, particularly the elderly. These efforts involve equipping robots with sophisticated algorithms and sensors to perceive and interpret human emotions accurately.
For instance, Guanghua No. 1 incorporates emotional intelligence inspired by brain-like motivation and dopamine reward mechanisms. It also employs complex algorithms that coordinate incentives across multiple levels to generate behaviors and perceptions that resemble those of humans.
Yet, a significant challenge remains in predicting and responding to the complexity and variability of human emotions. Emotions are highly subjective and can vary widely, posing ongoing challenges for scientists and institutions.
To overcome this, researchers train robots using diverse datasets and continually update their algorithms with new inputs. Emotionally intelligent robots have found practical applications, particularly in healthcare settings where hospitals are exploring their potential to provide companionship and assistance to patients.
Over the past two years, experts from various fields, including mechanics, biology, engineering, computer science, and big data, have been developing the Guanghua No. 1 robot.
The robot, scheduled for a trial release by the end of this year, is now undergoing extensive testing in provinces such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang. These tests aim to enhance its accuracy, safety, and capability to assist the elderly with tasks like getting out of bed or accompanying them to the restroom.
While robots may not entirely replicate human emotional depth, they serve as valuable aids, mainly benefiting the elderly in various practical and supportive roles.
