A 'social robot' that can become extremely angry has been built to teach customer service staff how to handle foul-mouthed complaints in the best way
21:27, 11 Dec 2024Updated 21:27, 11 Dec 2024
robot
It uses artificial intelligence to detect vocal expression
Boffins have built a foul-mouthed bad boy robot to help train customer service staff.
The robot rotter can get angry, fly into a rage and fire off volleys of expletive-laden abuse to teach workers how to handle complaints.
US developers Furhat Robotics and audEERING say the machine monster is a 'social robot' which uses artificial intelligence to detect vocal expression.
That means it can pick up on - and react to - people’s moods.
READ MORE: WW3 fears as Sweden, Finland and Norway issue leaflet on 'If crisis or war comes'
READ MORE: Trafalgar Square's 'half dead' Christmas Tree savaged by Brits but we find hope
robot
It can react to people's mood and is programmed to become angry
That means it can pick up on - and react to - people’s moods.
It can be programmed to become extremely angry and to curse and swear.
Louis Simeonidis, director of business development at Furhat Robotics, said: "If we’ve done our job right you should be able to walk up and engage with the robot just like your friend.
"You should be able to communicate and express with it the same way you would with other people.
"And it should be able to communicate back to you the way other people would communicate.’"
audEERING founder Florian Eyben added: "We can understand sarcasm, irony, and we can understand that you’re actually maybe not in the best mood and the way you say things matters here.’"
A technology expert who tested out the bot at the Voice & AI Conference in Washington DC had to calm it down.
Playing the role of a customer service operator she asked: "What can I help you with?"
The bot flew into a rage, replying: "Are you kidding me? I shouldn’t have to wait that long. I need my phone fixed.
"I want an explanation for this terrible experience.’"
Article continues below
For the* latest news stories from Daily Star *sign up for our newsletter.
READ NEXT