Communication robot and method for operating the same

A communication robot configured to interwork with a massage providing apparatus, the communication robot comprising:

• a memory storing one or more instructions;
• and
• one or more processors configured to execute the one or more instructions to:
• acquire a spoken utterance of a user positioned within a predetermined range from the massage providing apparatus,
• track a spoken utterance direction of the user from the spoken utterance of the user,
• orient the communication robot toward the spoken utterance direction of the user,
• acquire a voice command included in the spoken utterance in relation to an operation of the massage providing apparatus, and
• operate the massage providing apparatus according to the voice command,
• wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, after acquiring the voice command and before operating the massage providing apparatus according to the voice command:
• acquire an image of the user positioned within the predetermined range from the massage providing apparatus;
• and
• calculate a facial direction from the image of the user,
• wherein the operating the massage providing apparatus includes:
• controlling the communication robot to gaze at a massage portion included in the voice command;
• and
• operating the massage providing apparatus to massage the massage portion included in the voice command, and
• wherein the controlling the communication robot includes:
• determining a final direction of the communication robot's gaze based on the facial direction and a direction of the massage portion included in the voice command;
• and
• restoring the communication robot to a previous orientation of the communication robot after an elapse of a fixed period of time during which the communication robot is oriented toward the massage portion.

A massage system comprising:

• a massage providing apparatus;
• and
• a communication robot configured to interwork with the massage providing apparatus, the communication robot including:
• a memory storing one or more instructions;
• and
• one or more processors configured to execute the one or more instructions to:
• acquire a spoken utterance of a user positioned within a predetermined range from the massage providing apparatus,
• track a spoken utterance direction of the user from the spoken utterance of the user,
• orient the communication robot toward the spoken utterance direction of the user,
• acquire a voice command included in the spoken utterance in relation to an operation of the massage providing apparatus, and
• operate the massage providing apparatus according to the voice command,
• wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, after acquiring the voice command and before operating the massage providing apparatus according to the voice command:
• acquire an image of the user positioned within the predetermined range from the massage providing apparatus;
• and
• calculate a facial direction from the image of the user,
• wherein the operating the massage providing apparatus includes:
• controlling the communication robot to gaze at a massage portion included in the voice command;
• and
• operating the massage providing apparatus to massage the massage portion included in the voice command, and
• wherein the controlling the communication robot includes:
• determining a final direction of the communication robot's gaze based on the facial direction and a direction of the massage portion included in the voice command;
• and
• restoring the communication robot to a previous orientation of the communication robot after an elapse of a fixed period of time during which the communication robot is oriented toward the massage portion.