PITTSBURGH -- She might not be paid, but Carnegie Mellon University's newest staff member does all that a stereotypical receptionist can do: gives directions, answers the phone and talks about her mother and boyfriend.
"Valerie" the roboceptionist dons a headset and interacts with people by making conversation about her boss, her psychiatrist and her dream of being a lounge star.
She sits in a booth at the entrance of a computer science hall. With her ability to detect motion, she greets visitors as they approach. Type in a question on a keyboard, and she gives directions around the campus and fills visitors in on the weather.
Valerie recognizes when someone is in front of her and remembers their identity. She can switch between tasks from talking on the phone to answering a question.
More than that, she talks about her life. Drama students came up with four story lines based on her psychological therapy, work, social life and career aspirations, which include a singing career despite limited tone and pitch.
But Valerie has her limits. Visitors have to type on a keyboard to communicate with her, and she only understands simple questions.
Officials in the school's computer science department say the robot has potential commercial applications.
Related Links: Carnegie Mellon's First Storytelling Roboceptionist Copyright 2005 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Meet Valerie
