Hundreds of people around the world are eagerly awaiting delivery of their EmoSPARK Cube, scheduled to arrive by the end of April. Since supporting the initial IndieGOGO crowd-funding campaign, which raised more than $178,090, the interest in EmoSPARK has built fast, and with good reason. Attention on artificial intelligence (AI) has typically focused on the negatives, but this technology represents an opportunity to introduce a refreshingly unique angle to the debate.
EmoSHAPE, founded by CEO Patrick Levy Rosenthal (who has personally invested more than US$500,000 into the project) has been developing its future-focused technology for many years.
So, what it is it?
The EmoSPARK Cube interacts with its owner on a level previously unseen in the commercial market. Unlike other gadgets, which are programmable with a set of preferences, EmoSPARK responds to the emotions of its user and is dedicated to that one person.
EmoSPARK is the first AI console to detect and respond to human emotions, as well as having its own emotional status.
Patrick Levy Rosenthal explains: “The personality of the EmoSPARK will evolve and develop based on how you interact with it; your personality will impact on its personality days after day”.
What's new?
The Cube is patent-pending and many elements involved in the technology are completely new to AI. The Emotion Processing Unit (EPU) is a microcontroller that manages and processes all emotions of the AI, as well as the LED system.
The unique new software allows full remote control by the Cube to hardware such as the IP Camera. The Cube is also capable of having an audio and video conversation with the owner when s/he is on the go (i.e. away from the Cube) thanks to highly sophisticated architecture and development. There are many other innovative features of EmoSPARK such as text to speech and speech to text communications, face tracking, emotion facial detection, and much more (which will be explained at the press conference on April 28th).
What happens when you wake it up?
When the EmoSPARK Cube arrives in its new home, and is removed from its box for the first time, the 'wake up' sequence will begin to help owners commence their journey with the world's first truly emotional AI. The owner will be taken through the physical set up of the Cube, and embark on the bonding sequence (created to form a three-way bond between the primary user/owner, the EmoSPARK and the owner's AI). Brian Fitzpatrick at EmoSHAPE explains: “The purpose of this bond is to allow the AI to learn the likes, dislikes and preferences of its owner. Over time the owner's AI will work to help make the whole experience more enjoyable and personal. Once the bond has been created between the owner and his/her EmoSPARK it cannot be broken”.