Two humanoid robots named "Vincent" and "Nancy" will be sent to the Westport Library in Connecticut to teach people about computer programming and coding.
The "NAO Evolution" robots, created by French robotics company Aldebaran, come with a variety of abilities, such as recognizing faces and figuring out where sounds come from, according to The Wall Street Journal. Additional features include tactile and pressure sensors that allow the robots to "touch" and "feel" things around them, as well as a "fall manager" that helps them pick themselves up after they fall down.
The addition of Vincent and Nancy is the latest move by the Westport Library to provide new technology to the public. A 3D printer was purchased three years ago to create a "maker" place where people can test out the equipment.
A demonstration was held for the two robots last week, which had Alex Giannini, the digital-experience manager of the library, make Vincent engage in several activities, such as kicking a tiny soccer ball, doing tai chi and bowing, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"Robotics is the next disruptive technology coming into our lives and we felt it was important to make it accessible to people so they could learn about it," said Maxine Bleiweis, executive director of the Westport Library. "From an economic-development perspective and job-and career-development perspective, it's so important."
Westport used private funds to buy the NAO Evolution models, which cost almost $8,000 each.
Vincent and Nancy also come with two cameras, four microphones, motion sensors and sonar, which are used to detect if walls are nearby. Their programming software includes compatibility with Python and other programming languages. New behavior apps are constantly being added to the bots to make it easier for them to perform gestures like the high-five, yawning and stretching.
Bill Derry, the assistant director of innovation at the library, said the NAO bots will make their debut at Westport on Oct. 11, and that programs and workshops will be established to teach participants about the software. The library will then host programming challenges in which the contestants will have the robots engage in different activities like reciting a poem, giving a speech and dancing. A final competition will be held for the winners in each category at a maker fair in April.
Vincent and Nancy will have other uses, such as helping patrons find books and greeting elementary-school students that visit the library, according to The Wall Street Journal.
"I don't know what the coolest functionality is going to be," Giannini said. "Someone coming in off the street is probably going to teach us that."
