CeBIT 2008: Robot Zeno gets smarter on its own

Last week, we reported on robots being taught how to think, learn and talk. Now, a robot from a whole new different league is coming. The said robot called Zeno is turning heads at CeBIT 2008 with its ability to reason independently. Learn more about Robot Zeno after the jump.

Here’s a robot which can get all the me-time it needs. Not needing to be taught in order to think, learn and talk, Robot Zeno is quickly making waves at the largest computer expo in the world, Centrum der Büro- und Informationstechnikwe (CeBIT) 2008, for its ability to reason by itself.

Robot Zeno scans its 3D environment and uses what it senses to respond with a range of preset human emotions. Zeno can see, hear, and feel with the best of them thanks to Hanson Robotics and artificial intelligence powered by Massive, an Academy Award-winning 3D animation system which has been used for the Lord of the Rings’ Gollum, and CGI movies like Happy Feet and Ratatouille

Animators have long used Massive to direct 3D characters to realistic and moving performances. Once development on the Zeno gets finished in 2010, it may be able to smile and walk non-robotically.

For those raring to see Zeno strut its stuff, a press release points us to a demo at the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise stand. CeBIT 2008 is taking place in Hanover, Germany from today to March 9.

Thanks to Karolin Kroeg for the heads up!