Meet Ibn Sina, the Arabic-speaking robot
(Credit:
Video screenshot by Tim Hornyak/CNET)
Say salam wa aleikum to an Arabic-speaking android developed at United Arab Emirates University and billed as the first of its kind in the world. It could enter mass production to help people at shopping malls.
The Ibn Sina robot, named after an 11th century philosopher, can recognize faces, converse with people by speaking in classical Arabic, connect to the Internet, and retrieve information. As seen in the video below, it can also exchange kisses with people.
Software for Ibn Sina was developed by a team led by computer science assistant professor Nikolaos Mavridis, with the mechanics by Hanson Robotics. Mavridis says some companies have approached his lab and asked about using the turban-wearing, bearded bot in shopping malls or as a receptionist.
Doubtless Ibn Sina, known as Avicenna in English, would have been pleased.
Crave freelancer Tim Hornyak is the author of "Loving the Machine: The Art and Science of Japanese Robots." He has been writing about Japanese culture and technology for a decade. E-mail Tim. 
he ask the robot is he want to talk about women :D
the robot answered ''acceptance''
amazing :D
And the idea of a "kissing robot" is just intolerable.
As a Muslim and an Arab, I consider this "project" a failure.
And the local converser - with his poor knowledge of classical Arabic and silly "crowning" question - is not much of a help either.
You want real Islamic* robots? Real Islamic* automatons? Read this article about the classical Muslim genius, Al-Jazari:
http://muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?ArticleID=1032
*Not Islamic in the sense of complying with Islamic principles, but rather in being the product of the Islamic civilization.
Enjoy!
- by farhad_bj November 22, 2009 7:55 AM PST
- Ibn sina was not arab. At that time Persian were forced to call themselves in Arabic names.
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(7 Comments)**** you all dirty arabs.