You’re probably familiar with Wall-E. Now, meet DAL-e, a robot that is currently being tested as a customer service representative at a Hyundai Motor showroom in southern Seoul.
DAL-e is a acronym for “Drive you, Assist you, Link with you-experience.” The robot uses artificial intelligence technology for facial recognition as well as an automatic communication system based on a language-comprehension platform to assist clients.
“The DAL-e is a next-generation service platform that can offer automated customer services anytime. It is expected to become a messenger capable of delivering consistent messages to customers in a more intimate and personal way than conventional robots,” said Dong Jin Hyun, Vice President and Head of the Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Group.
“With continuous updates and improvements, the DAL-e will provide fresh, pleasant experiences to our valued customers in a contact-free environment. Our objective is to enable the DAL-e to engage in a smooth and entertaining communication with customers and present valuable services to them.”
The robot has a truncated yet humanoid body that is designed to have a welcoming appeal to customers. It measures 1,160 x 600 x 600 millimeters and weighs jut 80 kilograms.
Engineers have given DAL-e “emotive physical features” and the ability to engage in “smooth dialogue” utilizing both speech and touch screen commands. Additionally, DAL-e can move freely throughout the store and even guide customers to designated spots using its four-wheel capability.
Customers learn from the robot as well as be entertained by it DAL-e is able to wirelessly connect to a large display screen at the back of the store and encourages visitors to take photos with it by providing gestured feedbacks with its movable arms. In the event that a customer enters the showroom without wearing a mask, the android recognizes it and advises the customer to wear one.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to continuously update the DAL-e based on data from pilot operations, perfecting its operational capabilities as an advanced android robot.
