AI robot tells stories at library to attract preschool children in Ho Chi Minh City

Baby Na turned on the switch, lightly touched the robot's head with her fingertip, the orange robot giggled and waved its arms in welcome. The AI ​​robot introduced itself as Elik and would tell the baby the story of 'The Disobedient Rabbit'.

On October 10, on National Digital Transformation Day, Tan Phong Kindergarten, Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City inaugurated the Digital Library - Dream Library. The small and pretty library with many different corners allows preschool children to read books on mini trains, play, make puppets to transform into characters in books, and at the same time apply AI technology (artificial intelligence) to Elik Robot.

Preschool children read books with their teacher and listen to AI robot Elik tell stories in the library

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Two orange robots become companions to preschool children with familiar appearance and flexible movements. Just by touching and gesturing, Elik will start telling stories to preschool children with expressive reading voices.

"From the interest in listening to expressive stories, children will develop their language skills, at the same time forming the habit of liking to listen to and read books, enhancing their communication skills and curiosity about the books around them," said Ms. Nguyen Nhu Quynh, a kindergarten teacher at Tan Phong Kindergarten.

"In the near future, we will develop this robot so that children can just touch and say which story they want to hear, and the robot will tell them that story," said Ms. Pham Bao Hanh, Principal of Tan Phong Kindergarten.

Children interact with AI robots, listen to robots tell stories

PHOTO: THUY HANG

On the day of the digital library's launch, many parents were present to watch their children experience virtual reality glasses.

PHOTO: PHUONG HA

Digital Library - Dream Library also applies many technologies such as letting children wear virtual reality glasses to explore the surrounding science ; borrowing and returning books is simpler for parents when parents only need to scan the QR code information on the book covers. The library system updates the number of times children borrow, view books and answer questions, children will receive encouragement gifts. From there, it helps strengthen the connection between parents and teachers, parents can accompany their children in reading books to discover new knowledge at home...

Digital library, AI robot, no additional fees for parents

The area of ​​the Digital Library - Dream Library is quite small, nearly 30 ^m2 , and reuses existing equipment from the school, without generating any income from parents or students. Teachers and those who are passionate about education join hands to create this digital library, without taking any remuneration.

The people who created the digital library idea are Ms. Pham Bao Hanh, Principal and Ms. Nguyen Thi My Lien, Vice Principal of Tan Phong Kindergarten.

Mr. Le Ngoc Phong, Chief of Office of the Ho Chi Minh City Young Scientists Club, designed the idea and was responsible for sketching the model. The AI ​​Robot - Elik Robot reading books for children was designed by Mr. Dang Hoai Nam, a teacher at the Tan Thuan Vocational and Continuing Education Center (formerly District 7).

PHOTO: THUY HANG

The digital library does not generate any revenue for parents, bringing many interesting experiences to children.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Ms. Ngo Ngoc Lan, Director of HandArt Company Limited, came up with the idea of ​​using virtual reality glasses in the exploration of applied science. The vivid images on the wall of the digital library have the contribution of Ms. Dam Hoang Duy Uyen, Cultural - Sports Service Supply Center of Tan Thuan Ward (formerly District 7 Children's House) and a group of artists.

"With the smart library as well as the application of AI to create storytelling robots, we do not abuse AI but creatively apply AI to help stimulate children's exploration and creativity. We believe that the digital library will bring children a journey to explore the world's culture in miniature, helping to nurture the habit of reading, love of knowledge, and at the same time form digital capacity from the first steps. We believe that each book, each space in the library will open a door of knowledge and inspire children's unlimited imagination," Ms. Pham Bao Hanh shared.

In the library, preschool children interact with puppets, imagine characters and tell creative stories.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Children experience reading digital books

PHOTO: NGUYEN TAI

Mr. Le Ngoc Phong said that applying AI technology to teaching as well as exploration, experience and education activities for preschool children will be a big challenge for schools that lack human resources who know how to exploit and operate AI technology along with a fear of conversion. But preschool teachers do not give up because of that. Through AI training sessions, preschool teachers in Ho Chi Minh City have gained more knowledge and experience.

"AI technology is the key to opening the door to modern education, helping to overcome knowledge barriers, realizing a modern education for the future that not only applies technology but also uses technology to elevate people," said Mr. Phong.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/robot-ai-ke-chuyen-o-thu-vien-thu-hut-tre-mam-non-tphcm-185251010184041819.htm