Iris demonstrates versatility in handling both kindergarten and high school settings. A school in southern India has introduced ‘IRIS’, the ...
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| Iris demonstrates versatility in handling both kindergarten and high school settings. |
This humanoid marvel, adorned in vibrant attire including a colorful sari and wig, is not only visually captivating but also equipped with remarkable capabilities. Iris boasts mobility on wheels and proficiency in three languages: English, Indian, and Malayalam, ensuring seamless communication with students. Beyond mere linguistic prowess, Iris possesses the ability to engage students by answering questions and fostering interactive dialogue through voice communication.
Maker Labs, the Indian robotics firm behind IRIS, describes the robot as a “versatile teaching tool with interactive capabilities.” It comes fitted with an Intel processor and a coprocessor for maneuvering tasks, and users can control and interact with the robot using an Android app interface, according to the manufacturer. IRIS is equipped with an AI-based voice assistant to provide “explanations” and deliver “educational content”, the developer stated.
It can move around on a wheeled platform and “manipulate objects, perform demonstrations, and engage in hands-on learning activities.” Earlier this week, one IRIS robot was introduced at the KTCT Higher Secondary School in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala state, which has the highest literacy rate (94%) among all Indian states. Maker Labs also uploaded videos of the robot, dressed in a traditional Indian ‘sari’, interacting with students in a classroom.
The Indian government is seeking to harness the power of AI in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, and education. On Thursday, the cabinet approved the ‘India AI Mission’ with an outlay of $1.2 billion for the next five years. Through the initiative, New Delhi will provide subsidies for homegrown companies working on AI tech.
Meanwhile, the government is also developing an AI language model ‘Bhashini’ to break down barriers between the hundreds of languages that are used in India. New Delhi has also taken steps to regulate AI-based platforms to avoid possible negative impacts, including disinformation.
Last week, the Narendra Modi-led government announced that Big Tech companies would now need the Indian government’s permission to release AI models that have not been thoroughly tested or are not reliable. The development followed a controversy involving Google’s Gemini AI chatbot, and an answer it gave relating to Modi.