Conversations have always tried to be mimicked by computers. However, In order for a human-machine conversation to occur successfully, the proper use and interpretation of words is needed through natural language processing and speech synthesis. This is demonstrated through the development of a new computer program, Robbie the Robot.

Robbie the Robot is a software application for Mac OS 10.5 developed by Erin Kennedy. This computer program demonstrates a human-machine conversation using speech synthesis and natural language processing.

With the use of language models and pre-programmed responses, Robbie has the ability to converse for a long time, while being able to reflect on past responses, then slowly transition into new sub-conversations. In Mickey Mouse terms... Robbie is kind of like a Furby, however has less potential to become exceedingly annoying. It comes off as more intelligent, too. (No offence Furbys!)

Here are some key features of "Robbie the Robot":

Potential future uses of Robbie include:
· Assisting children with autism to communicate
· Using pre-programmed phrases that have a calming effect on pets
· Allowing household staff to communicate with Robbie via VoIP
· Serving as a vocal interface for people who are deaf
· Helping people with Alzheimer's to keep their memory intact with precise quizzes and games
· Assisting the communication between divers and people on the surface
· Creating an accessable and simple emergency device for communication and conversation
· Allowing a portable unit to navigate into dangerous situations and communicate
· Communicating with undiscovered life-forms
· Allowing military personnel to receive to receive live vocal updates
· Allowing the creation of amiable robots
· Personal laboratory assistant
· Therepeutic devices in a stuffed animal for children

There are few reasons you should download Robbie the Robot:
· Observing this technology, and interacting with it vocally, puts computers on a whole new scale.
· You will be surprised how witty Robbie can be.
· If you're feeling down, Robbie can help cheer you up as it also serves as a therapeutic device.
· By downloading it, and completing the survey, you allow me to see what I can improve on.
· Robbie simply looks cool!


Requirements:

· 12 MB Free space
· Microphone & Speakers
· Using the Alex voice (Set in Speech Preferences)


Note: As a side-note, Robbie uses a big chunk (2.97 +- 0.03 GB) of virtual memory.