Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.
A curious toy was created by a group of American scientists. It’s a dog robot with artificial intelligence. Unlike dogs, there is no need to feed it or walk with it. A video camera inside the robot allows it to distinguish colours and determine distances, two stereo tape-recorders help it to remember words, the sensitive sensors on its body provide the ability to respond to the touches and change of temperatures. The dog robot can jump, run, sit, lie and even wag its tail. Like any alive dog it can grow and be taught. At first the dog doesn’t react well enough to your commands. But as it grows it begins to distinguish up to forty different commands. It also acquires its own individual habits. The character of «the dog» is formed by the owner. The electronic mind «remembers» the owner’s approval and disapproval. Like an alive dog it has its favourite and unloved places in the flat. Bear in mind that if the owner doesn’t pay attention to his «pet», it falls into depression.