NIT-Rourkela has secured a patent for an indigenous robotic system designed to interact with people in a highly human-like manner. Built using artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs), the robot integrates both verbal and non-verbal communication to enable seamless, natural interaction. Unlike conventional robots limited to pre-programmed replies, this system can understand everyday spoken language, follow verbal instructions, answer questions and hold real-time conversations that adapt to context.

A defining feature of the robot is its ability to recognise human emotions. By analysing facial expressions, such as happy, neutral, or sad, it can respond in an empathetic and comforting way, improving user engagement. The robot can also recognise simple gestures like waving or raising a hand, making it accessible to users across age groups, including children and elderly individuals who may rely more on intuitive gestures than voice commands.

The system is designed as a friendly companion suitable for homes, classrooms, offices, hospitals and community environments. For speech and language processing, the robot uses a Raspberry Pi (low-cost single-board computer) to capture spoken or text inputs. These inputs are interpreted by an LLM, which determines context and generates a relevant, human-like reply. The final output is delivered using Google TTS (text-to-speech), giving the robot natural-sounding voice responses.

At an estimated cost of ₹80,000–90,000, the robot offers a cost-effective alternative to interactive robotic systems that use expensive components or proprietary technologies.

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Published on December 15, 2025