The collaboration between the company and the Computer Engineering Department of Bursa Uludağ University (BUU) resulted in the production of the prototype of a robot designed in the form of a head, half torso, and arms as a robotic coding training material.
This robot, capable of distinguishing between men, women, children, and adults, and mimicking the hand and facial movements of the person in front of it, took 6 months to build.
Efforts are underway to equip the robot named "Cuma," which was introduced at the Education Technologies Tent at TEKNOFEST last year, with skills such as image processing, language parsing, emotion analysis, and the ability to answer questions using artificial intelligence.
In the R&D studies, the goal is to transform the robot, which currently resembles a 4-5 year old child, into a bionic physical assistant in adult form, standing 1.80 meters tall, using metal parts.
Adem Aksu, the owner of the company, stated that they first produced a robotic coding set in the form of arms, head, and half torso to fill the gap in the bionic education material field.
Adem Aksu also mentioned that they will start the R&D for the humanoid bionic robot's ability to walk and balance in adult size, with human-like facial expressions and appearance.
Aksu stated that they are motivated by the idea that in the future, we will see walking robots in public transportation stations and terminals, saying, "This is not too far away. Why shouldn't one of these robots be ours?" He continued, "Our robot, through image processing, will be able to perform facial scans of everyone and conduct criminal record checks. It will be able to measure the pulse and temperature of the person approaching it, detect blind spots that cameras cannot see, match objects found with object recognition, inform relevant units through its own system about objects it cannot match as suspicious packages. At the same time, while moving around, we want it to evolve into a sector that can provide services such as directing people, providing information, and consultation."
Aksu mentioned that they have developed the software and design of "Cuma" using local resources, while some parts are sourced from abroad. He also stated that they aim to use "Cuma" for interaction and education purposes for individuals with Down syndrome in the future stages.
Associate Professor Dr. Murtaza Cicioğlu, from the Computer Software Department of the Computer Engineering Department of BUU Faculty of Engineering, stated that they support the company in developing the artificial intelligence software that forms the essence of the robot.
Cicioğlu emphasized that the project is a great example of university-industry collaboration, stating: "We have become accustomed to virtual assistants with artificial intelligence, but now we need to get used to physical assistants. This will be an example of a physical assistant. You will be able to use and apply it in many areas, many industries, from education to health, and the military. How will you apply it? You will simply adapt the software you have to the scenario here.''
''After adapting it to that scenario, you will have created a system, a product that can be adapted to whichever field you want to use it in, and this will be a physical assistant. Instead of a security officer walking around an airport or various places, there will actually be a physical robot walking around there, responsible for your security.''
''Being on the academic side, we also pay attention to ethical principles. The Turkish robot 'Cuma' is actually suitable for our people's personal characteristics because we will adapt our large language model to our own language and create it according to our own scenarios. Therefore, it will be a unique robot to us, understand us, and give us correct answers."
