Inkha, a reactive robotic head that tracks movement
2003
Inkha, a reactive robotic head that tracks movement, speaks, and interacts with people in a lifelike way. Built by Matthew Walker and Peter S Longyear c.2003. Includes a metal carrying case and a spare parts.
With a cocky tilt of its head and fluttering eyelashes, this sassy robotic receptionist greeted visitors to King’s College London. From 2003 until 2015, Inkha dispensed directions, information and attitude. Humans often express how they feel through facial expressions and body language. This helps others know how to interact with us. Although it may seem bored, scared or tired, Inkha does not feel emotions. Building robots that can express their needs in the same way people do makes them easy and fun to use.
The name 'Inkha' was chosen as Mat and Peter were looking for a stand-out word to help people find Inkha in web searches. They also wanted a name starting with an 'I' as that helped it sound futuristic. Retrospectively, Mat and Peter realised that Inkha stood for Interactive Neurotic Kings' Head Assembly.
2003
2003