Leachim (Robot)
Inventor | Michael J. Freeman |
---|---|
Purpose | Teaching |
Leachim was an early example of Diphone synthetic speech and demonstrated how voice branching could be done quickly via computer discs to create understandable speech (i.e. verbal output).[1][2] This method combined phonemes, words, and sentences to form verbal responsive messages when prompted by the computer. The device received attention on a world-wide basis because hundreds of articles were written about it.[3]
History[edit]
The device was developed by Michael J. Freeman and installed in robot form in a New York City School in a Fourth grade class, as a teacher's assistant.[4][5] The computer had biographical information of those students whom it was programmed to teach in addition to curriculum data.[6][7][8] Leachim could teach a number of students simultaneously through the use of headsets.
Hardware[edit]
The computer part of the robot was built from RCA Spectra 70 series of computers.[6] Leachim could simultaneously interact with multiple students and keep track of their progress individually.[9][10] Its body was made of wood and there were internal mechanics so parts such as the arms and head could move.
Robbery[edit]
On June 12, 1975, Leachim was stolen while being trucked back to NY from a 1-hour appearance on the Phil Donahue Show and despite an FBI investigation and a reward from Lloyd's of London, it was not recovered.[11]
Leachim was built by Michael J. Freeman Ph.D. and after it was stolen he built another more advanced version.
2-XL[edit]
Leachim remained active for three years from 1972 to 1975. Later a toy inspired version of Leachim called "2-XL Robot" was introduced. The toy was mass-produced in many countries by Mego Corporation in the 1980s and later by Tiger Electronics in the 1990s.[12]
References[edit]
- ^ "1960 - Rudy the Robot - Michael Freeman (American)". cyberneticzoo.com. 2010-09-13. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
- ^ The Futurist. World Future Society. 1978. pp. 152, 357, 359, 360, 361.
- ^ "World of 2-XL: Leachim". www.2xlrobot.com. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
- ^ Maccarone, Grace; Krulik, Nancy E.; Epstein, Jolie (1985-04-01). Real Robots. Scholastic Paperbacks (T). p. 27. ISBN 9780590402668.
- ^ Krasnoff, Barbara (1982). Robots, reel to real. Arco Pub. p. 118. ISBN 9780668051392.
- ^ a b New York Magazine. New York Media, LLC. 1979-07-30.
- ^ "16.4.2 - Robots and Robotics". www.xenology.info. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
- ^ Gibson, Janice T.; Gibson-Cline, Janice (1980). Psychology for the classroom. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 9780137333523.
- ^ Reichardt, Jasia (1978). Robots: fact, fiction, and prediction. Viking Press. p. 109. ISBN 9780670601561.
- ^ The P.T.A. Magazine: National Parent Teacher. Child Welfare Company. 1972.
- ^ "Lloyd's Is Offering $7,500 for Return Of Purloined Robot". The New York Times. 1975-07-17. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
- ^ "Remembering the First Smart Toy: 2-XL". mentalfloss.com. 2016-10-13. Retrieved 2019-06-01.