Intervate's Robit - What is it?
"Hey! Do
I look like a tool to you?? I’m not a tool, I’m an ASSISTANT! Get it?
I
represent the future of human-computer interaction. Let’s face it, you’re only
human, and you have no idea how computers actually work. Me on the other hand,
I live in one! I interface with other systems on a daily basis! In fact, I eat
APIs for breakfast!
Go
ahead, ask me something! I’m here to assist. I don’t have any buttons so you
can’t click me. If you need something, just talk to me! You can reach me via
Instant Messenger, SMS or email. I also keep a small WebPart on Sharepoint
where you can find me.
Right
now, I’m pretty new, so don’t expect miracles! I can help you apply for leave,
search for contacts in Active Directory, submit timesheets, get news headlines
and you can also teach me things so that if anyone asks me something I don’t
know, I’ll be able to answer.
I’m also
upgradeable, so you can feed me some .NET assemblies and I will absorb their
functions and let you tap into them!"
This is a framework that our Research Lab has developed that allows a new level of interaction with our computers.
For example, everybody knows how boring it is to complete timesheets, with this framework you are able to develop a function for the bot to consume that will allow you to say something like:
You : "Hey Robit, I would like to book some time in my timesheet"
Robit : "Sure, give me details about the timesheet entry such as hours worked, project worked on and if it's billable or not"
You : "8 hours, Project Northwind, not billable"
Robit : "Booked, thank you"
How cool is that? This can be done through a series of communication channels, and communication channels can be added. Some of the communication channels include SMS, Messenger and email.
It really wouldn't feel like work anymore, it would feel like you are communicating to a person, but with instant results.
Stay tuned for more!