Hong Kong, China. 09 August, 2022 – SenseTime, a global artificial intelligence (AI) software company, has launched its consumer product “SenseRobot”, an AI interactive Xiangqi (chinese chess) robot for family entertainment, further expanding its “smart life” product offerings. The product has been certified by the Chinese Xiangqi Association, with Guo Jingjing, the multiple Olympic gold medalist, as chief product experience officer.
Through its cutting-edge AI technology and the industrial grade robotic arm technology, SenseTime has developed a physical AI Chinese chess robot that can teach and play chess face-to-face with users, furthering the promotion of traditional Chinese chess culture with technology.
Xu Li, executive chairman of the board and CEO of SenseTime, says at the product launch event, “Our goal is to create a robot that can physically ‘think’ and ‘act’ with our leading AI technology, bring industrial grade AI technology into every family, and make real interactions with children and elder family members. It can not only accompany children throughout their developmental years, but also make high technology intuitively understandable and interesting for elder people. It will bridge the digital divide and build emotional connection with technology, while bringing overall enjoyment to the whole family.”
SenseTime’s AI product to consumers – expanding smart life business
Smart Life is one of SenseTime’s four major businesses, for which SenseTime has been committed to improving end-users’ experience and advancing the interconnection of physical and digital worlds. SenseRobot, as its first product facing consumers, lays an important foundation to expand its Smart Life business.
SenseRobot has an appealing, simple, high-tech design and an appearance of a small astronaut. It offers players different playing modes including AI Chinese chess learning, endgame challenge, Chinese chess breakthrough and final challenge as well as multiple skill levels to choose from, starting with “basic” to explain Chinese chess to more than 100 endgame settings and 26 levels of matches.
SenseRobot is highly praised for its combination of advanced Chinese chess skills, ability to match players at different levels and human-like responses through AI deep learning and self-training. Its advanced AI features not only teach children to play Chinese chess, but also challenge the player’s strategic thinking while enjoying the fun of the game.
Guo Jingjing, the “diving queen” who is also among the first users of the product, says “Chinese chess is very helpful for children to train their concentration and logical thinking. Chinese chess is an important part of my family life and we always have Chinese chess in our living room. I am glad that SenseTime launched SenseRobot, which not only stimulates children’s interest in Chinese chess culture, but also becomes an enlightenment of technology education for my children.”
The industrial grade robotic arm technology – certified by Chinese Xiangqi Association
Through SenseTime’s AI technology and industrial grade robotic arm technology, SenseRobot was created into a physical AI robot that can be placed on the desk without straining eyesight, which is a common side effect of popular online chess games played on screens. What is especially appealing is the robot’s ability to strengthen family bonds, providing an opportunity for the whole family to participate and interact together. It enhances emotional communication and engagement between children and other family members.
Shen Hui, dean of innovative engineering institute of SenseTime, says “We hope children can feel the real artificial intelligence technology through a physical AI Chinese chess robot. After nine times of updates on the design, we still keep the “robotic arm” of the SenseRobot because we hope it can interact with children like a real friend with its arm movements”.
SenseRobot can achieve millimeter level of operation accuracy and ensure a smooth game process. It is certified by the Chinese Xiangqi Association, an organisation promoting Chinese chess under the General Administration of Sport of China, and providing professional courses to users. It can also perform assessments for level 16-13 in the official Chinese chess level examination.
Zhu Guoping, director of the chess and card sports management centre of the General Administration of Sport of China and president of the Chinese Xiangqi Association, says “Chinese chess is a symbol of traditional Chinese culture. Our association has been dedicated to the promotion of Chinese chess in a new era of information and digitalisation, and the SenseRobot AI Chinese chess robot effectively helps us in this endeavour. We look forward to witnessing more innovative achievements by SenseTime that benefit the society.”
SenseRobot is officially available for pre-sale from today on Tmall. The standard version is priced at [RMB 1,999 (€286.84)], and the Pro version is priced at [RMB 2,499 (€358.59)].
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