Ropet Ditches ChatGPT For Multimodal AI, Faces Backer Backlash And Refund Demands
Ropet just announced via a private post for backers only on Kickstarter, that they will be changing direction and removing the ChatGPT feature for the meantime.
In place of an AI chat bot, they plan on developing Ropet’s multimodal AI, which is an AI system that can respond to things around it using sight, sound and touch. Reacting to your smile for instance would be considered a multimodal ability. This new AI might include a limited chat function, but details on what this will exactly entail are scarce.
The Ropet team believe the ChatGPT functionality didn’t feel like it was an integrated part of Ropet, and instead felt like a stand-alone smart speaker feature. As a result the team decided to focus on creating a personality for Ropet that allows it to interact with the owner in unique ways using its body movements and sounds, much like an existing traditional pet such as a dog would.
The new direction was obvious from the beginning and I welcome it.
From reading comments online it seems some Ropet enthusiasts dislike the new direction and way Ropet have sought to control the narrative. Many point to the scrubbing of content online that was heavily used to promote Ropet with ChatGPT during the KS.
As a result of the change backers feel they should get the option of a refund. There was no mention of a refund by Ropet in this latest announcement. Time will tell if Ropet can successfully remedy this situation and surprise us with a multimodal robot companion.
Ropet are currently training the new multimodal AI system. They say it will be capable of reacting to specific words, can judge your emotional state by the tone of your voice or expression on your face; and will have the ability to draw on memories and react to surroundings.
Ropet shipping has been postponed until July, possibly due to the testing taking longer than expected as they prepare to roll out the new multimodal AI.
Ropet just announced via a private post for backers only on Kickstarter, that they will be changing direction and removing the ChatGPT feature for the meantime.
In place of an AI chat bot, they plan on developing Ropet’s multimodal AI, which is an AI system that can respond to things around it using sight, sound and touch. Reacting to your smile for instance would be considered a multimodal ability. This new AI might include a limited chat function, but details on what this will exactly entail are scarce.
The Ropet team believe the ChatGPT functionality didn’t feel like it was an integrated part of Ropet, and instead felt like a stand-alone smart speaker feature. As a result the team decided to focus on creating a personality for Ropet that allows it to interact with the owner in unique ways using its body movements and sounds, much like an existing traditional pet such as a dog would.
The new direction was obvious from the beginning and I welcome it.
From reading comments online it seems some Ropet enthusiasts dislike the new direction and way Ropet have sought to control the narrative. Many point to the scrubbing of content online that was heavily used to promote Ropet with ChatGPT during the KS.
As a result of the change backers feel they should get the option of a refund. There was no mention of a refund by Ropet in this latest announcement. Time will tell if Ropet can successfully remedy this situation and surprise us with a multimodal robot companion.
Ropet are currently training the new multimodal AI system. They say it will be capable of reacting to specific words, can judge your emotional state by the tone of your voice or expression on your face; and will have the ability to draw on memories and react to surroundings.
Ropet shipping has been postponed until July, possibly due to the testing taking longer than expected as they prepare to roll out the new multimodal AI.