Researchers at Toshiba in Japan are working on a Very Cute Talking Robot that functions as a voice-activated universal remote control.

Named ApriPoko, the robot stands 11 inches tall, weights 5 pounds, and is still in R&D Phases.

No word on when ApriPoko will be available to the public.  But when he is, the little guy will be able to learn how to control electronic devices by watching humans and asking them questions about their behavior.  He will even have a built-in camera to identify different users

So, for example, if my Speech Brother Eric B, were to use an infrared device–let’s say a TV remote–ApriPoko would sense the signal and ask Eric “What did you just do?”

Eric would likely say “I just turned on the television.”

And then, ApriPoko would commit the command to memory, allowing him to operate that remote function following a voice command from Eric.

ApriPoko can be programmed to work with any device with a remote control.  So Eric could have ApriPoko change the channels on his TV, operate his air conditioner, and dim the lights in his living room–all via voice commands.

Now that’s what we at Speech Tech Blog call Blue Ribbon Livin’!