Top LLMs like ChatGPT are becoming a big part of our lives. People use them at work and home to get things done. You can ask them for directions, lessons on topics you are interested in, translations, and a lot more. Plenty of companies are working to give these LLMs a body. Take the OUROBOT for instance: it is a ChatGPT-powered companion robot that was recently funded on Kickstarter. It can play music, give you directions, check the weather and a lot more. The good folks behind it were kind enough to send us a test unit. Let’s see what was included:
The OUROBOT comes with a USB-C cable and a cute outfit that you can dress it up in. The model we tested is not the final version but comes with everything we needed to put it to use. All we had to do was install the non-slip “feet,” turn it on, and follow the instructions. You can connect this to the internet on your mobile device or computer. Simply connect to the OU-***** network and visit 192.168.4.1 to enter your WiFi information.
The web app already shows you the networks that you can connect to. Once you connect this gadget to your WiFi network, you are set for the future. The robot automatically connects to the internet every time you turn it on. The OUROBOT gives you feedback with its lights. When the light is blue, it is listening to your commands. You don’t need a wake word for it to respond in that mode. The robot also has a standby mode that it will exit from with a simple touch.
The OUROBOT has a compact design. It is about the size of a Bluetooth speaker, but it is much smarter. It has a lightweight design, weighing only 10.65oz, but it doesn’t tip over easily. You can ask it to give you directions, set an alert, translate languages, and check the weather. Even if you don’t know what the robot is capable of, you can simply ask it. This robot will have 2 Hall, infrared and touch sensors. It uses a couple of motors to move its hands.
We asked our OUROBOT to perform a bunch of basic tasks. It was able to check the weather for our location, tell jokes, find a Walmart near our ZIP code, and translate words into other languages, including Spanish, Farsi, and Japanese. It can also be an educational tool. For example, we asked our OUROBOT how to solve a quadratic equation or explain what quantum mechanics is all about.
The OUROBOT can also play music. It doesn’t currently play songs from a phone but can find tunes to play through the internet. We asked it to play a relaxing sound, and it was able to do so in a few seconds. We were also able to get it to tell us about the latest AI news. Since the bot is connected to the internet, it can search the web to find what you are looking for. It has a rechargeable battery, so you can take it anywhere in your home or office. We managed to charge it with a portable USB-C power bank.
Overall, we found the OUROBOT to have a lot of potential. It is a cute little robot that gives ChatGPT a body. It is kid-friendly but works great for adults too. We tested our model for a week, but this robot is supposed to develop a unique personality if you interact with it long enough. Based on the feedback we received from the makers, a mobile app is also in the works. We can’t wait to see how the team behind the OUROBOT takes it to the next level in the upcoming months. For now, you can order yours on Kickstarter.
