"Robot Al" a Big Hit at Technology Fair

 The fourth annual Technology Fair, sponsored by the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and hosted at Wolcott Technical High School had an unusual guest this year- a robot named Robot Al.

Provided by Howmet Castings, which is an Alcoa Aluminum business located in Winsted, Al spent his day at the fair strolling along the tables entertaining students, presenters, and staff with quips, comments, gags, rides, music, and of course, photos with the admiring patrons.   Wherever he went, Al drew a crowd along with him.

The High School students, drawn to the fair by the promise of plenty of new information and technology, were drawn to Al by his attractive design, engaging personality, funny comments, and the ease of his very human-like movements.  Al, operated by Robert Doornick, was ready to answer technical questions at all times.  He mostly just chatted amicably with the students, teased them, traded jokes with them, played music for them, and offered to let them ride along with him.  To the girls: “I wonder if your boyfriend will be jealous.”  To a group of students:  “Ah, kids.  Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em , can’t tax ‘em.  To Wolcott Tech principal, Dan Kushman:  “Hello your exalted high and mightiness.  How do you like the fair?”

Built by International Robotics, Inc., Al is six feet tall and all aluminum. He is considered to be the most sophisticated mobile communications robot in the world.  Originally commissioned by the Alcoa Wheel Products division, Robot Al is now available to all Alcoa groups worldwide. 

His main job is as a spokesperson that reaffirms Alcoa’s position as an industry leader, trendsetter, and innovator in aluminum industries and markets.  He has appeared on TV numerous times.  He visits schools and children’s hospitals, along with appearing at trade events such as the Technology Fair.

A single operator/actor controls Al at a distance, but in full view of the audience without any visible equipment.  The live remote control includes voice and full animation as well as instant access to entire sets of shows pre-programmed inside the robot’s computers that can be triggered on demand.  Al has an extensive library of digitally altered voices allowing him to present himself as many characters and even in different languages.

Al is the only robot with membership in the Screen Actor’s Guild.  He is also the only robot with his own personalized American Express Platinum credit card and passport.

 Enthusiastic students respond to Al as he moves between exhibits.

Melissa Borkoski poses with an affectionate Al.

 OWTS Principal Dan Kushman is formulating a snappy comeback to a wise-cracking Al.

 The Junior Health Technology class hanging out with Al.