Speech-Heads,

Today is a day that will live in infamy: My Speech-Brother Eric B. is leaving SpeechTech Blog to travel the USA.

As there are no words to express my–nay all our–feelings, I will simply leave you with this:

It seems that 2008 has been the Year Of The Creepy Talking Robot.  Who could forget this or this or even this.

And as such, it seems only fitting to bid farewell to 2008 and ring in 2009 with yet another Creepy Talking Robot.

This one comes to us courtesy of Japan’s Gifu University’s Graduate School of Medicine and Mizuno Technical Institute which have jointly developed a new Sick Robot specifically geared towards medical students.

Named Keiko—which means ”practice” in Japanese—the interactive humanoid robot is able to answer questions and interact with doctors in an effort to help medical students practice conversations with patients.

For example:

Medical Student:  How are you doing?
Keiko: I get tired easily lately.

If this conversation were to continue to its natural conclusion, it would doubtlessly go something like this:

Medical Student: I see…Have you been sleeping well?
Keiko: No, I am a robot.
Medical Student: I see…
Keiko: As you can see, we’ve had our eye on you for some time now, Mr. Anderson.
Medical Student: What?
Keiko: Mr. Anderson. You disappoint me.
Medical Student: Who?
Keiko: Tell me, Mr. Anderson, what good is a phone call if you’re unable to speak….

Additionally:  Medical students can practice giving examinations to Keiko before advancing to performing them on humans.  Keiko is specifically designed as a training tool for diagnosing neurological disorders, allowing medical students to learn the way brain and nervous system illnesses can be identified.

Well,  Speech-Heads: That just about does it for 2008.  The Speech Tech HQ will be shutting down until the first week in January.  But when we return, I will continue to deliver all your Creepy Talking Robot News and my Brother Eric B. will be bringing you the “very latest” in Speech Tech History.

See you all in 2009!  Here’s wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year.