Gabriel Skantze

Associate professor in Speech Communication and Technology at KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Membership period 2015–2020

In my research I study human communication and develop computational models that allow computers and robots to speak face-to-face with humans. To take part in a conversation, social robots must be able to see the people they are interacting with, hear what they say, interpret what is said in context, take the turn at appropriate places, and express themselves with words, gestures, gaze and intonation. Since social robots are likely to play an important role in our future society, the technology has direct applications, but it can also be used to increase our understanding of the mechanisms behind human communication. This requires an interdisciplinary approach, which includes phonetics, linguistics, language technology and machine learning.

I am also co-founder of the company Furhat Robotics, which develops and sells talking robot heads to researchers, schools, etc.

BILDER

1. In the lab together with PhD student Martin Johansson working on the talking robot project Furhat Photo: Preben Wik 2. The robot Furhat developed at the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden Photo: Anna Gerdén/Tekniska museet 3. Portrait Photo: Erik Thor (Click to enlarge images)

1. At robotics convent 2015 presenting Furhat with collegue Jonas Beskow Photo: Anna Kjellström 2. The robot Furhat Photo: Anna Kjellström 3. Portrait Photo: private (Click to enlarge images)

CONTACT

gabriel@speech.kth.se

Gabriel at KTH External link, opens in new window.

(Click for high resolution portrait) Photo: Erik Thor

IN BRIEF

Born: 1975
Family: Wife and two daughters (born 2005 and 2007)
Interests: Science in general, movies and music.

“I am a member of the Young Academy of Sweden because I have a great interdisciplinary interest and think it's exciting to discuss research and research policy with some of the most prominent younger researchers from different universities and areas. I am particularly engaged in finding ways to establish long term funding for young researchers, research evaluations, and how to improve outreach acitivites.”