Hoomano

Hoomano specializes in developing artificial intelligence solutions to enable more natural and seamless interactions between humans and robots. The company's core technology focuses on emotion detection, attention analysis, and understanding human reactions to create a "social brain" for robots. This allows robots to adapt their behavior and responses based on the user's emotional state, attention levels, and intentions.

Hoomano initially started by creating customized applications for humanoid robots like Pepper and Nao from SoftBank Robotics, enabling these robots to engage in informative, entertaining, and interactive experiences in retail settings, public spaces, and for local authorities. As of 2018, the company had deployed its solutions with around 60 clients.

In 2019, Hoomano recognized the broader potential of its technology beyond just robot applications and began pivoting its business to enrich and expand this AI-driven social interaction platform. The goal is to develop a comprehensive interaction engine that can analyze and interpret various cues like gestures, gaze, and attention levels, enabling robots to understand when a user is engaged and responding appropriately.

As part of this research and development effort, Hoomano established a joint research lab called Behaviors.ai with the CNRS Liris laboratory in 2017. Here, they are exploring advanced AI concepts like developmental learning and intrinsic motivation systems to further enhance robots' ability to navigate unknown environments and anticipate human intentions.