How Norby the language robot is more than just a companion

Norby, an AI-powered language companion, highlights the exciting evolution of language learning through interactive and adaptive technology.
Adrian Mullan, Founder and CEO of Norby, led the demonstration at Dell Technologies World in Las Vegas, highlighting the robot's ability to engage in natural conversations across multiple languages and contexts. Norby supports more than 30 languages, with new additions and updates rolled out through over-the-air software updates.
Mullan said his motivation for developing Norby was rooted in his own experiences. "A few years ago, while helping my daughter with her homework, I noticed something troubling - she was bored and struggling to stay focused. Conventional learning materials simply couldn't hold her attention. That realization sparked the idea for Norby," he explained.
Norby is designed to be more than just another digital assistant or educational tool. "Humans have an innate desire to connect, even with the things we create. We give objects human-like traits, attribute emotions to our pets, and name our digital assistants - it's part of who we are," Mullan said.
"I didn't want another device that demanded my attention. I wanted a companion - something that helps me stay focused, in flow, and truly engaged. A companion that adapts to my personality, interests, and goals."
During the demonstration, Mullan illustrated Norby's capabilities by asking it to greet the audience in various languages and accents, as well as to generate stories on demand.
"Hey, Norby, can you do me a favour? Can you say hello to the journalists in the room?" Mullan asked.
Norby responded with, "Hello everyone. I'd be happy to extend a greeting to the journalists present. I'm sure, Adrian, you'd like me to make a good impression, so I'll make sure to be as charismatic as possible on various projects, including sound checks and helping with your work on interactive voice companions."
The device's multilingual proficiency is underpinned by a flexible architecture that allows Norby to select the best available models for different languages.
Mullan explained, "We plug into a bunch of different providers for the speech recognition as well as the large language model inference, and effectively what we do is we built an architecture where we can send the responses to the best model at the time."
"So an example would be OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, all the big US providers will be great when it comes to English, Latin based languages and so on, but they'll tend to struggle with Asian character sets, so Chinese, Japanese, Korean and so on. In that case, we can spin it off to the DeepSeek, or to Qwen , or whoever, the best provider is," he said.
The hardware is intentionally designed to be approachable and engaging, resembling a character rather than a device, and is equipped with high-performance processing, a full-colour HD touchscreen, high-quality speakers, and expressive RGB LED lighting. Norby's software supports a variety of large language models and is continually enhanced through regular updates.
Norby's applications go beyond language learning. "Our problem at the moment is we have more requests from people than we can sort of deal with. I would say language and speech therapy is a really big one on the consumer side. The next area that we're moving into is much more the agentic productivity side," Mullan said.
He described using Norby at home to manage daily tasks: "My Norby unit at home actually does things. I checks my email. It'll summarise my emails. I can ask Norby, okay, what's important for the day. And then what it'll do is, it's connected to my inbox, but also to my LinkedIn, to my social feeds, to my calendar. It'll take all of that stuff, create a summarisation."
Addressing the broader technology landscape, Mullan compared Norby's form factor with other AI devices. "If you have something that's like projecting onto your hand, like, what happens when you walk out in daylight, right? So I think that's in their case, a big problem."
"In the case of rabbit, I think they're doing some interesting stuff. Again, though my issue is, is that I think the moment you make a device that's very similar to a phoney form factor, you're effectively competing with the phone. And then in order to be able to move forward, what happens is, your expectation is that people have to carry this device and also carry the phone."
"So we've made a deliberate decision not to do that. We've gone after a form factor that's a bit more anthropomorphised," he explained.
Norby's adaptability is reflected in its ability to switch between personalities and modes depending on user needs.
Parents, for example, can select predefined personas for their children, and the robot adapts its lessons to maintain engagement. "As the kids interact with Norby, it will course correct. So an example would be, okay, any kid that's learning a language, one of the challenges is engagement, right? Because they find it hard and boring. If it knows that, okay, there's an eight year old boy named Billy who's really into Roblox and Spider Man, it will then start to recreate those lessons in that context," Mullan said.
Discussing privacy and security, Mullan stressed, "We take privacy and security seriously. Norby has been designed to be COPPA compliant. Our closed-system architecture means no access to third-party app stores or social media."
Looking ahead, Mullan outlined the expansion of Norby's functionality, including the introduction of features such as singing, laughing, and emotional intelligence analysis.
"There's a version that we're working on now that will sing, laugh, cry, whisper, yeah. I've had a chance to interact with that one. It's not production-ready yet, but it will happen," he said.
"We're thrilled to be at this stage, and we're excited about the potential for Norby to make a difference in people's lives."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scoop

15 hours ago

• Scoop

Speeding Up Customs Clearance Of Fresh Foods Exports Into China

The New Zealand Customs Service and the General Administration of China Customs (China Customs) have agreed a new pilot to trial speedier border clearance for airfreighted fresh foods. The pilot was announced on 20 June 2025 by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during his recent trade visit to China. Comptroller and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Customs Service Christine Stevenson was in Beijing to support Prime Minister Luxon's delegation. The pilot will see both customs agencies expedite the clearance of fresh food produce before its arrival into Auckland International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Ms Stevenson said this pilot would reduce the need for documentation checks, resulting in faster access to the Chinese market for a range of items including fresh seafood, meat, dairy and fruit. 'We know that it is important for New Zealand businesses to be able to get the fresh food they are sending cleared on the same day it arrives into China, so that their high-quality products can be at restaurants or on the shelves of supermarkets that same evening. 'This trial will give our exporters increased certainty that their high-value produce will be processed with minimal delay when they arrive into Shanghai, ensuring the produce is in optimal condition for Chinese consumers. 'Low-risk goods from China entering New Zealand through Auckland will similarly receive reciprocal treatment at our border,' said Ms Stevenson. Over the last 12 months (1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025) New Zealand exporters airfreighted over NZ$221 million dollars' worth of fresh food to Shanghai. During the trade visit, Prime Minister Luxon also announced a Customs Arrangement to identify areas for improving trade efficiency on Single Window, the New Zealand automated system that is used by traders and supply chain partners to submit craft and cargo information to border agencies. Fresh food airfreight exporters can register their interest in further updates from Customs on the fresh food pilot by emailing ses@ with the subject line 'China Pilot'. More information about exporting to China is available on Customs' website at

Otago Daily Times

20 hours ago

• Otago Daily Times

Uni back in top 200 in worldranking

The University of Otago is back in the top 200 of world-ranked institutions in a major rankings table — and the vice-chancellor credits the work of staff and students. The QS World University Rankings, released yesterday, showed Otago had jumped from 214th to 197th-equal, making it the second-highest ranked university in the country, although it is still some way behind the University of Auckland which was steady at 65th. Otago University vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said this reiterated Otago's reputation as a world-class university. "I want to acknowledge the hard work of our staff that sits behind this result, who day in, day out are producing world class research and providing world class teaching." Otago leaped 17 places from last year, marking its best performance since it was ranked 194th in 2022. Part of this improvement was due to an increase in its academic reputation and citations-per-faculty scores, Mr Robertson said. "These gains are hard won through the efforts of our kaimahi [staff] and tauira [students]. We will look to build on these results into the future as we strive for excellence in all that we do." The rankings come at a time when universities in New Zealand are looking to rebuild rolls after Covid-19, largely through attracting more international students. QS vice-president Ben Sowter said New Zealand was one of the few places worldwide where all universities featured among the global top 500 in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. "The breadth of excellence shown across the country's eight universities is testament to the work of students, outstanding staff and brilliant research carried out across New Zealand. With the University of Otago returning to the top 200 for the first time since 2022, the country once again has two institutions ranked among the very top tier of universities worldwide." Mr Sowter said among key English-speaking study destinations, New Zealand ranked lowest among global employers for its reputation but was highest in terms of employment outcomes. "This suggests a need for New Zealand universities to build closer relationships with employers worldwide to ensure a match between the skills and knowledge their graduates are entering the workforce with and those that are sought, and that the providers of those graduates are recognised." The ranking placed Massachusetts Institute of Technology first for the 14th consecutive year followed by Imperial College London and Stanford University.

Newsroom

a day ago

• Newsroom

Luxon's hot minute in the heart of the dragon

It's close to midnight as the Prime Minister swaggers down the stairs of the Airforce 757. Waiting on the tarmac next to the red carpet is the deputy mayor of Shanghai, with his ambassador to China and China's ambassador to New Zealand. Christopher Luxon needn't worry, the welcomes will get grander as the trip progresses. It's a muggy Shanghai night; Luxon doesn't linger. Into his car and the motorcade shifts into gear. His first official visit to one of the world's most consequential countries has begun. Any overseas trip takes preparation, but with China the stakes are high and the climate is … complex. Pre-trip briefings are par for the course. A security briefing from the country's spy agencies is not. Add to the growing 'to do' list: burner phone, burner computer, burner SIM, no wifi, and keep your tech and sensitive belongings on you at all times – just a suggestion, though. Day 1: Deals, deals, deals The sun rises on a 35C day in Shanghai and the dozen-strong media group bustles into the two waiting vans – or 'coasters' – to travel from their very nice hotel to the even nicer hotel where the PM and business leaders are staying. It's time for the first event of the trip: a group photo. The photographers move into position on the scorching concrete balcony high above the city, with a view out over the Bund River and the Shanghai skyline. Prep be damned. When the crowd arrives they mill around, confused. 'Shuffle left', the photographer says, 'now right, more people on that side. And smile!' It's not the last time the group will perform this awkward dance. The official party posing on Shanghai's Bund on morning one. Photo: Pool The selfies done, the group moves into a room with a trio of economics experts. They have impressive CVs and even more impressive TedTalk-esque presentation skills. They talk through global uncertainty caused by toxic tariffs, low consumer and business confidence, and the opportunities for businesses and investors presented by these challenges. The first question in the Q&A session goes to the Prime Minister. He wants to know what's behind the downturn in China's real estate market. You can take the man out of New Zealand, but you can't take the property market obsession out of the man. Ahead of the trip, Luxon names tourism and education as his two priority areas. And true to his word, the first engagement with guts is with China travel booking platform Ctrip ( After the obligatory group photo (shuffle, shuffle, switch), CTrip chief executive Jane Sun leads Luxon to an interactive wall that does little to dispel the west's dystopian future view of China's approach to tech. An eerie AI-generated female voice overlays interactive visualisations bringing to life screeds of visitor data gathered by the booking platform. The Minority Report sheen is broken by one of the data points on the digital wall. Most popular restaurant for Chinese travellers in New Zealand: Ferg Burger. The CTrip data wall. Photo: Supplied Luxon is ushered into a room to record a promotional video. The door is closed behind him. Media move to an open-air balcony to set up for the first of what will be three hot and sweaty press conferences on the trip. The questioning is dominated by visa settings for Chinese travellers. It won't be the last time that topic rears its head on the trip. The delegation piles back into the waiting vehicles – shiny black sedans with flags for ministers, coasters for officials, business heads and media. It's time to pump up the primary sector at an event showcasing grass-fed dairy at the Langham Hotel. Champagne glasses half-full of Fonterra milk sit on the tables around the room. Beside them are miniature flags from the two countries. One delegation member says the milk actually tastes better out of a champagne glass. Maybe it'll catch on back home. Champagne tastes for NZ dairy. Photo: Laura Walters In any country – but especially China – everyone wants a piece of political leaders. Luxon's presence – even if it's a 15-minute whip around – helps grease the wheels. If an unrelenting smile and a whole lot of selfies is what it takes to go for growth, then Luxon is willing. The crew shuffles back into the cars and off to New Zealand Central, where the PM announces a change that will allow kiwi cosmetic brands to export to China. There's the handshakes, the signing, and then the sampling. Luxon shifts into a past persona: Unilever sales mode. This look takes a lot of work, he says, gesturing at his face. But rather than reaching for the antipodes eye cream to put on his own face, he wrangles an unwilling member of the travelling media. Luxon does eventually agree to sample the product himself. It's a day before the PM stops commenting on the journalist's eyes. Back to the PM's hotel for another business announcement, which turns out to be one of the most significant (and unexpected) deals of the trip. The long-talked about Southern Link between China and South America, via Auckland, will be in place by the end of the year. State-owned China Eastern is particularly stoked to announce one of its government's controversial Belt and Road Initiative expansionist projects. The PM says NZ doesn't have any Belt and Road projects, and China knows that. Do they? A warning at Yu Yuan gardens. Photo: Tim Murphy Vibe switch. Luxon has swapped blue suit for blue polo (adorned with a Silver Fern) but without his name and title on it, as in the past. Until now, Luxon has kept up with the bustling metropolis of Shanghai. Now, he's transported to ancient China, walking past the dragon statues and jade gardens of Yu Yuan Gardens with writer Mang Boyong. Mang studied at Waikato University and is a best-seller. Their conversation looks riveting, but no-one can get close enough to hear, as visitors swarm around the PM. Who is this man being followed by cameras and security? A metal plaque sits beside some concrete steps: Caution! Slippery Slope. Seems appropriate. Day 2: Sweating it in Shanghai Luxon starts the day with a visit to Fudan University. After being greeted by a robot, the PM makes his way to the technology gallery, where students are waiting. Following the formal (read: dry) opening remarks, the PM has a Q&A session with the students. One asks about the use of technology and AI to better deliver healthcare – especially to rural and isolated communities. The PM says he believes AI can be used to better connect people with services. For example, if you're a young mother with two kids, it can help you understand 'the entitlements that you're entitled to'. The political journalists in the room exchange glances. Last time the PM spoke about being entitled to entitlements he ended up giving back taxpayer money. One Kiwi student learning Mandarin at Fudan asks about the importance of learning languages to build connections and understanding. Luxon responds: 'You can see we send our brightest students overseas.' Ouch. The PM talks about his quest to learn Mandarin in the '90s. He later divulges he hired a teacher to come to his office every Monday morning at 7am. The pursuit didn't last long, because there was no-one to practise with in Wellington. Perhaps he needed to get out of his bubble. From Fudan, Luxon is whisked away to meet the Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining. It's his first political meeting of the trip and it's held in a big room. This particular room is described by one member of the media delegation as 'one of the most well-lit rooms in communist party history'. All the rooms in China are big and bright. Most of the space isn't used. It feels like a big flex. After his meeting, Luxon walks outside to conduct probably the hottest press conference in history. Not in terms of the spicy questions, or the Prime Minister's hot takes, but thanks to the literal temperature, which rises past 35C (feeling more like 40C on the concrete). Sweat is soon drenching everyone there. Well, almost everyone. As Luxon Lore goes, the PM doesn't sweat. But after 20 minutes in the beating sun, beads are forming on his upper-lip. Luxon mentions the journalist's eyes again, commenting on their softness. It starts to feel uncomfortable – the joke and the heat. The motorcade swings by NZ Central to give the PM what he likes to call a bit of 'executive time'. Ostensibly it's for catching up on any reading or emails, but in this instance it's likely a chance to put his feet up, have a bite of lunch and change. Welcome to Beijing This time the welcome has military personnel lining the red carpet on the tarmac. And China's Customs Minister. Customs as in protocol? one person asks. No. Customs, as in please make sure New Zealand milk keeps flowing over the border. There's enough time to check in and shower (finally) ahead of a Matariki reception held at the New Zealand Embassy on Thursday evening. In some respects, Luxon is unlucky in his timing of the trip, between the Matariki holiday and Iran, Israel and maybe the US threatening an all-out war, the attention of the masses is elsewhere. But China watchers always be watching. Between the drinks and nibbles, Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue impresses with a breathtaking rendition of Pōkarekare Ana, a series of waiata and the crowd-pleasing Ka Mate. Following the PM's speech, Te Matatini-winning kapa haka group supports him with a waiata while Luxon stands with them. Later, Whakaata Māori asks Luxon how he feels being invited to stand with the kapa. Honoured, he says. Big day with the big names in Beijing If the first two days of the trip are hectic, the final day is high-stakes. The media pack makes its way to the Grand Hall of the People situated in the heart of Xi Jinping's seat of power. The rooms, halls and stairways inside G-Hop – as the acronym-loving foreign affairs officials say – puts the grandness of China's other very big rooms to shame. Gold-gilded marble, unfathomably large murals displaying traditional Chinese art, vases big enough for a grown adult to get inside, and yellow velvet curtains. The vast halls are lit by high-wattage bulbs in a series of chandeliers. The people walking through the rooms look like specks; utterly exposed. Travelling minister Mark Mitchell clocks the under-utilised space, and asks if he can rent a corner. It's hard to imagine the police minister getting sign-off on setting up a co-working space in CCP territory. First meeting of the day is with Zhao Leji, the chairman of China's parliamentary assembly. Chinese media includes a state archivist – the film will be kept for 100 years, he says. One of the cameramen has an earpiece that looks more security than broadcaster. On the carpet are two red stickers to indicate where Luxon and Zhao should stand. A dot for Luxon and star for Zhao. To their backs are flags from the respective countries, both crafted from paper and arranged into perfect cones. The press pack is ushered out and then it's a waiting game until Luxon's meeting with Xi. Chinese officials allow liberal media access. Photos, videos, voice recordings – it's all on the table. All 12 travelling media are granted access to the all-important Xi meeting, making the earlier bunfight over who would get the coveted spots wholly redundant. Luxon rounds the corner, flanked by his entourage. When he gets to the door, he pauses, takes a breath, pastes a smile on his face and walks into the room. A performer waiting in the wings, taking that steadying breath and putting on their persona, before stepping on the stage. Luxon with Xi. Photo: Pool The opening remarks start. Xi talks about 'ups and downs'. Luxon refers to global turmoil, calls on China to be a consistent, constructive global force. The PM shows he too can go one-for-one with one of the world's most powerful men. And then they leave, with both sides believing the relationship is 'in good heart'. Just like that, it's time to switch back to trade mode. Off to a posh department store to push kiwifruit. Think Harrods, but with a higher turnover. Then he's on a rooftop, supporting the launch of Tourism New Zealand's 100% Pure campaign. Sounds familiar. Just seven hours before his flight out, Luxon is back at China's Great Hall. And, finally, he receives the pomp and ceremony of a full military welcome. When the marching and anthems are done, Luxon and his counterpart Premier Li Qiang follow the strips of red carpet to inspect the troops. Luxon fights every instinct to not smile, say hello and shake a gun-wielding hand. Instead, a respectful nod. The PM joins the Premier for a banquet dinner. Officials and the business crew stay. The media coasters head off. Without the PM's motorcade the vans move at a crawl along China's boulevard of power. Next to the Great Hall lies Tiananmen Square. There are conspicuous security cameras throughout Beijing, but the clusters around the site of historic bloodshed are something else. No journalists allowed. Dinner has finished and the Prime Minister is running an hour early for his final press conference of the trip. Media hustle out of the local Peking Duck restaurant and move to the embassy to set up. As the sun goes down, journalists spend 25 minutes trying (mostly in vain) to squeeze details of the day's meetings out of the Prime Minister. He's met with the most powerful men from one of the world's most powerful countries, and he's staying mum. The stand-up fast becomes an exercise in creative question composition and reading between the lines. What he will say is that he sees no evidence that China is joining a fearsome foursome of Iran, Russia and North Korea to conspire against the west. That's not how Nato head Mark Rutte sees it. Will Luxon stick to this line once he's in the warm embrace of his security partners in Europe? A couple of days will tell.