Last night, while sitting alone in the dark, eating stale cake, and contemplating the cruel nature of the Universe,  I came across this news report by CNN’s Jeanne Moos.

Basically, the story is about some guy who has built a speech-enabled, ultra-realistic robot–named Aiko–that he dresses in his mother’s used clothing.

The robot, which to date has cost some $25,000, was originally intended to help the elderly, but can also read the newspaper, do math problems, identify different food and drinks, and a whole lot more.

As reported by Moos, Aiko’s best speech-enabled dialogue includes the following:

“Please stop touching my breast, you pervert.”

“No, I will not lick your foot.  I am not your personal slave.”

“Ouch!  That really hurt.  Stop it.”

And to check out Aiko-In-Action, Let’s Go To The Video:

Here at Speech Technology, we love robots. Passionately. Profoundly. Inappropriately.

So when we came across RoboVox, there was much jubilation and high-fiving and running around the office and jig-dancing and kissing of random women in the elevator.

Why? Because RoboVox is basically a GIANT ROBOT that accepts text messages from any cell phone and then speaks the messages back in its ROBOT VOICE.

Yes, that’s right: ANY TEXT MESSAGE! IN ROBOT VOICE! And, RoboVox is currently on tour and could be coming to a city near you!

From the RoboVox site: “RoboVox is a large (8m high) interactive public sound installation by media artist Martin Bricelj, using SMS for general public interaction. It will be installed in crowded metropolitan squares preferably on those carrying some social or even political connotation.”

“Its purpose is to serve as a tool for an individual, who’s voice usually gets lost in the sounds of the mass, the society. An individual can send a text message using his mobile phone to the dedicated RoboVox’s number. Upon receiving the SMS RoboVox says out loud the statement, the protest, the declaration of love, or whatever the message may read, thus lending its voice to the anonymous individual.”

Oh speech technology, is there anything you can’t do?