A robot "born" in Singapore arrived in Germany this year

Franzi ... talks to patients, sings and cries digital tears

Franzi is busy working and thoroughly cleaning the floor of the hospital he employs in the German city of Munich, but in the midst of the outbreak of the "Covid-19" epidemic, this robot has created for itself a new task based on recreation of patients and the work crew in the place.

In German, Franzi initiates anyone who obstructs his previously programmed path, asking in his sharp voice: “Can you please step aside?

I have to clean ».

And if someone does not comply, then the robot persistently chants, “You have to step aside!”

I really want to clean! ”

And if that wasn't enough, the robot sheds digital tears flowing from the two lights that represent its eyes, changing their color.

"With the spread of the epidemic, visits are forbidden, so (the robot) Franzi is camouflaging a little from the patients," says Constance Rittler of the Dr. Rittler company that cleans the Neuberlach hospital.

Franzi roams the entrance hall three times a day, equipped with a robotic mop instead of his feet.

Patients like this robot, whose height is no more than a meter, so that some of them photograph it while others chat with it.

"Here is my girlfriend!" An old lady shouts when she sees Franzi.

“One of the patients was finally getting down three times a day to talk,” says Tania Zacherl, a cleaning officer at the hospital, with a smile.

The robot "Franzi" was born in a company in Singapore, and was initially called "Ella" and he spoke English before arriving in Munich at the beginning of the year, but the robot became fluent in German, and he said in this language to his interlocutors, "I never want to grow up", expressing His passion for cleaning tasks.

On request, he can also perform a rap song or some classic German songs.

In the face of fears of some that Franzi will replace real employees, Constance Rittler asserts that this is not the goal, as the task of the robot assistant is to "support" his fellow humans who are difficult to do this work in light of the restrictions imposed to combat the outbreak of the pandemic.

The robot has created a new task for itself based on recreation of patients and staff.

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