We’ve probably all watched those Hollywood sci-fi movies where humanoid robots co-exist with human beings, and they have interesting adventures with unpredictable outcomes.
Well this isn’t the big screen. This is reality, and we all have front row seats to experience history in the making: Africa’s first humanoid robot was officially unveiled at the world’s biggest technology event, Gitex, which took place at Dubai World Trade Centre, from October 10th to 14th.
The humanoid robot named Omeife, was created by Uniccon Group of Companies, one of Nigeria’s fastest growing technology startups that offers eclectic, innovative technology solutions to businesses and government agencies across Africa.
Omeife is a 6-foot-tall female, African humanoid that provides language as a service for businesses needing to integrate native African audiences. She is also a multipurpose and assistance robot. She speaks African languages and is programmed to have a deep understanding of African culture and behavioural patterns.
She is able to now the level of ground and stability of itself on the floor, this will help it navigate on non-flat surfaces and maintain good balance. Also, Omeife is designed for position awareness having a GPS and State-management for knowing whether the system is standing, walking, talking and more.
The humanoid robot is also designed with advanced Gestures such as expression while talking, hand illustrations, smile and other bodily gestures. She also has the ability to size, understand shape and how to hold things with the hand.
Omeife also has Realtime understanding with active listening and ability to focus on a specific conversation thread as its happening. Other features of the humanoid include her ability to switch languages and interact with the specific gestures, detailed pronunciations of words, sentences and even phrases, Face detection, Paying attention to a specific item when required, Identifies objects and knows their characteristics, Calculates positions and distance of objects it sees and much mire.
Speaking on the Omeife project, Chuks Ekwueme, CEO of Uniccon Group of Companies says: “Africa is fast being recognized for its contribution to the global tech ecosystem. Through Omeife and other projects, we’re happy to play a part in helping businesses and people all over Africa to achieve their fullest potential by providing access to the most innovative technologies for efficiency.”
At Gitex, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, lauded Uniccon Group’s commitment to playing a vital part in advancing technological innovations in Africa.
