CyberLink Corp. has announced a new partnership with Macnica and GROOVE X Co. Ltd., to enhance user experiences with GROOVE X's ‘LOVOT,' the very cute, but highly advanced, smart family robot.

By combining Macnica, a total services and solutions provider in semiconductor, network, cyber security and AI/IoT with CyberLink's highly accurate AI-enhanced facial recognition engine, FaceMe®, LOVOT's capabilities are further expanded to include recognition of individual family members. After four years of research and development, GROOVE X launched its flagship LOVOT product in 2019. With its expressive eyes, deep learning based real time decision making, dynamically generated voice synthesizer, and physical warmth like a traditional pet, LOVOT has already won numerous awards in Japan and internationally.

LOVOT's cutting-edge technology, which in some ways contrasts with its cute and cuddly appearance, has also been attracting attention for its potential to improve mental health, and for its use in emotional education. During the pandemic LOVOT gained popularity in educational facilities such as preschool schools, children's centers, and elementary schools, as well as in diverse companies throughout Japan. Innovative Collaboration: To successfully improve LOVOT's ability to recognize individuals, the collaboration between CyberLink, Macnica, and GROOVE X was key.

Since LOVOT isn't tall, and often views people's faces from below, the capability to quickly identify and match individuals from an angle was necessary. CyberLink's FaceMe works in real-time, able to accurately confirm an individual's identity in less than 0.2 seconds with superior accuracy (99.7%) and can process a wide field of view, such as angled facial images. Additionally, as a close technology partner, Macnica handles cutting-edge hardware and software, including CyberLink's FaceMe.

By proposing optimal solutions to fit GROOVE X's needs, Macnica ensured LOVOT was integrated with a highly accurate facial recognition engine, requiring modest hardware demands, even while running on the embedded systems as used by LOVOT.