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WMU students helped by library robot

Posted at 4:25 PM, Nov 24, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-24 18:26:01-05

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Artificial intelligence is being put to use in the Western Michigan University library.

WMU is piloting a new program which is helping students in the library today and may help teach in the classrooms in the future.

The "telepresence robot" is controlled by employees at the WMU Waldo Library.  The program is a combined effort between the school's libraries and the social robotics lab.  The "robot" greets students, roams the library answering patron's questions and even gives tours to prospective students and their families.

The next generation of robot is expected to have arms where the robot will be able open doors and suggest books for students.