AI Robot Concept Unveiled… Moving Display Delivers Information/Emotions
Turn on the lights and turn off the gas just by speaking, and even have English conversations with AI.

The era in which robots can understand human speech and carry out commands, just like in science fiction movies, is rapidly approaching.

SK Telecom will showcase its next-generation AI robot, AI-linked robots from external developers, and 'Nugu' linked with the IBM Watson-based AI 'Avril' at 'MWC 2017', the world's largest mobile festival.

SK Telecom is placing the expansion of its AI ecosystem through partnerships with various operators at the forefront, alongside technological innovation. This is because the company believes that the expansion of the AI service and device ecosystem, along with the completeness of technologies such as voice and image recognition, will determine the success or failure of its future AI business.

First, the next-generation AI robot to be unveiled by SK Telecom is a desktop device that combines voice recognition technology with image recognition technology. Unlike existing AI devices, its most distinctive feature is the head section equipped with a camera and screen.

When a user calls out to this device, the head screen rotates toward the user and continuously follows them. As a social bot, it utilizes head movements and screen graphics to deliver information more richly and enables emotional expression. Hand gesture recognition is also applied, so you can stop the operation simply by extending your palm to make a 'stop' sign during a call.

SK Telecom plans to build a facial recognition-based personalized system by incorporating its independently developed "intelligent image recognition solution." To this end, it also plans to upgrade its "Nugu" AI. SK Telecom's image recognition solution has previously obtained the highest level of technical certification from the Center for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), an agency under the UK government. This was the second such award in the world in the Embedded Device category.

SK Telecom is also showcasing a prototype of a toy bot for toddlers. It features a real-time communication solution developed in-house. Using home Wi-Fi, users can talk to their parents simply by saying, "I miss Mom."

Two AI robot prototypes from external developers, including a pet bot and a commerce bot integrated with the AI 'Nugu', were also showcased.

At MWC, SK Telecom also showcased two AI robot prototypes from external developers, including a pet bot and a commerce bot linked with the AI 'Nugu', presenting a concept for AI robots that will evolve into various forms in the future.


▲ Photo of the next-generation AI robot social bot

IPL’s 'iGenie,' a pet bot resembling a dog, can connect with 'Nugu' to understand human speech and execute commands. It can also monitor the home through a camera.

Future Robot's Commerce Bot, 'FURo-DESK,' is a store robot that integrates POS functions to provide payment services. It is capable of greeting and guiding customers, and it is expected to provide customized services for each customer and store once AI is integrated in the future.

The commercialization timing for SK Telecom's next-generation AI devices and robots from external developers is undecided, and they will be unveiled at this MWC to present a future blueprint for the AI ecosystem.

Integrating SK C&C's 'Avril' based on IBM Watson

'Nugu' also demonstrates its potential as a hub for home IoT. Visitors to the Smart Home corner of the SK Telecom exhibition hall can control various home appliances, such as IPTV, air purifiers, lighting, and gas valves, through 'Nugu'.

SK Telecom is leading the domestic smart home market by partnering with over 60 companies to date and launching more than 70 smart home-linked products. SK Telecom plans to continuously expand the range of home appliances integrated with its AI assistant, 'Nugu'.

In addition, there are plans to provide an intelligent smart home that uses machine learning technology to comprehensively analyze device usage history, residential lifestyle patterns, and various indoor and outdoor information to autonomously propose and execute '1:1' smart home services.


▲ Photos of next-generation AI robot products (from left: Social Bot, Toy Bot, Pet Bot, Commerce Bot)

SK Telecom is unveiling the integration of the currently commercially available 'Nugu' speaker with SK Inc. C&C's 'Avril' based on IBM Watson.

SK Telecom successfully demonstrated various functions in English, including conversation, radio, weather, and general knowledge. For example, if asked "What is the highest mountain in the world?", it answers "Mount Everest." SK Telecom plans to introduce an English conversation feature integrated with "Avril" to "Nugu" later this year. The day is not far off when an AI English conversation teacher will appear in your home.

Starting with this collaboration, SK Telecom plans to continuously strengthen its competitiveness through cooperation with SK Inc. C&C in the field of artificial intelligence.

Park Myung-soon, Head of SK Telecom’s Future Technology Institute, stated, “Starting with ‘Nugu,’ the ‘era of AI popularization’ has begun, where voice recognition and artificial intelligence are dramatically changing all aspects of life,” adding, “We will devise measures to expand the AI ecosystem itself through sharing and openness.”