Robot Characters

New Type of Interface for Personal Computers: Personal computers have been used for a wide variety of purposes, including acquiring information from the Internet, communicating with friends via e-mail, and enjoying real-time conversations using the chat function. Currently, the primary interfaces used for personal computer communication are the display monitor, keyboard, and mouse. As a new type of next-generation interface for computers, robot characters are expected to enhance operation. Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. has developed a chat system using robot characters and has already put them into trial service. (Fujitsu and Sanrio, 1999)