Teacher Creates Humanoid Robot That Speaks 38 Languages

A teacher has created a robot that can speak 38 languages and is made from recycled waste materials. Watch the clip below:

Dinesh Patel, a computer science teacher at IIT Bombay, says he used £500 worth of cardboard and plastic to build the AI social humanoid, which can identify objects and solve equations.

The robot, named 'Shalu', can speak nine local languages, as well as 38 foreign languages.

Dinesh says the prototype can also answer riddles and general knowledge questions, and memorise things.

He says Shalu has a diverse set of skills, she can read newspapers, deliver weather reports and even read out horoscopes and recipes.

She is made from waste materials including aluminium, cardboard, wood and plastic - and then hooked up to a computer.

swns

He is now looking to using 3D printing to create more realistic body parts.

Dinesh said: "I've developed this robot from scratch in my spare time, using scrap materials and components procured locally.

"The software has also been largely built by me using public-domain libraries.

"This goes to show how it is possible to build things locally that can indeed compete in capabilities with those coming from much more resourceful labs around the world."

Dinesh, who is from the Indian village of Rajmalpur of Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur district, was inspired by the Bollywood movie Robot.

He spent more than three years devoted to his special project - spending around £500 (INR 50,000) creating Shalu.

SWNS

He added: "I gave it the face of a woman for general acceptance and [to] be the environment ambassador.

"There's plenty to be done and I hope I will succeed in it in the foreseeable future."

A similar robot has been developed by Hong Kong-based engineering company - Hanson Robotics, which was named 'Sophia'.

Dinesh said: "I've focused on it being a guide for students to introduce them to robotics. It is nothing but joy to make something out of nothing. I want it to be a time-saving product for students."

SWNS

"It can be a good friend and mentor for students - answering their basic questions regarding general knowledge and maths.

"I am keen to make it more beneficial for the students in impoverished communities.

"There are tens of thousands of children yet to make it to schools across India. I am targeting that to help such children who are willing to study but can't afford it."

Additional copy: Tahir Ibn Manzoor

Topics: Interesting, Technology

Amelia Ward

Amelia is a journalist at LADbible. After studying journalism at Liverpool John Moores and Salford Uni (don't ask), she went into PR and then the world of music. She spent a few years working on festivals and events before joining LADbible. In her spare time, Amelia likes music and spending good, quality time with her cat, Paul. You can contact Amelia at [email protected].

@ameliasward