Patent Publication Number: US-2021183359-A1

Title: Robot, and speech generation program

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2019/034238, filed Aug. 30, 2019, which claims the benefit of Patent Application No. 2018-161616, filed in Japan on Aug. 30, 2018, and Patent Application No. 2018-161617, filed in Japan on Aug. 30, 2018, the disclosures of which applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     At least one embodiment relates to a robot that outputs speech, and to a speech generation program for generating speech output by a robot. 
     Description of the Background Art 
     A robot that outputs speech is already known (for example, refer to JP-A-2010-94799). This kind of robot includes a sensor, and when the robot receives an external stimulus, the sensor detects this, and outputs speech responding to the external stimulus. Alternatively, this kind of robot outputs speech in accordance with an information processing in an interior. Because of this, a feeling that the robot is a living being is obtained by a user. 
     However, when the robot reproduces stereotyped speech prepared in advance when outputting speech, a user, by coming into contact with this kind of robot over a long period, loses the feeling that the robot is a living being, and forming an attachment to the robot becomes difficult. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In consideration of the heretofore described background, at least one embodiment has an object of providing a robot that a user feels more strongly to be a living being. 
     At least one embodiment is a robot, and has a configuration including a speech generating unit that generates speech and a speech output unit that outputs the generated speech. Rather than outputting speech prepared in advance, the robot outputs speech generated by the robot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a front external view of a robot; 
         FIG. 1B  is a side external view of a robot; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view schematically showing a structure of the robot; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of a neck portion of the robot; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the neck portion of the robot seen from the front and above; 
         FIG. 3C  is an A-A sectional view of the neck portion of the robot; 
         FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of the neck portion seen from diagonally above; 
         FIG. 4  is a drawing showing a hardware configuration of the robot; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a configuration for outputting speech in the robot; 
         FIG. 6  is a table showing a relationship between an intonation pattern and an index; 
         FIG. 7  is a table showing a relationship between a stress pattern and an index; 
         FIG. 8  is a table showing a relationship between a length pattern and an index; 
         FIG. 9  is a table showing a relationship between a vibrato pattern and an index; 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multiple of robots that can carry out synchronous speech emission; 
         FIG. 11  is a drawing showing an example of a screen showing a state of a robot in a robot control application; 
         FIG. 12A  is a drawing showing an example of an application screen relating to a speech setting; 
         FIG. 12B  is a drawing showing an example of an application screen displayed in accordance with an operation of the application screen shown in  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12C  is a drawing showing an example of an application screen displayed in accordance with an operation of the application screen shown in  FIG. 12A ; and 
         FIG. 12D  is a drawing showing an example of an application screen displayed when a user customizes speech to be output from a robot. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereafter, an embodiment will be described. The embodiment described hereafter shows one example, and does not limit the present invention to a specific configuration described hereafter. When implementing the invention, a specific configuration that is in accordance with the embodiment may be employed as appropriate. 
     A robot of the embodiment has a configuration including a speech generating unit that generates speech and a speech output unit that outputs the generated speech. 
     According to this configuration, the robot outputs speech generated by the robot rather than outputting speech prepared in advance. Because of this, the robot can generate and output speech that is in accordance with sensor information, or alternatively, the robot can generate and output speech that is unique to the robot, whereby a user can feel that the robot is like a living being. A timing at which speech is generated and a timing at which the speech is output may differ. That is, speech generated in the speech generating unit may be stored, and the stored speech output when a predetermined condition is fulfilled. 
     The robot of the embodiment may include a sensor that detects a physical quantity and outputs sensor information, and the speech generating unit may generate speech based on the sensor information. 
     According to this configuration, speech is generated based on sensor information, meaning that speech is not simply output by a stimulus from an exterior being detected as a physical quantity, but that speech that is in accordance with a property (for example, a size) of the stimulus can be generated. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech generating unit may generate speech when predetermined sensor information is input continuously for a predetermined time. 
     According to this configuration, flexible speech generation can be carried out in response to sensor information, rather than sensor information simply being reflected in speech generation as it is. 
     The robot of the embodiment may include a multiple of sensors that detect a physical quantity and output sensor information, and the speech generating unit may generate speech based on sensor information from the multiple of sensors. 
     According to this configuration, speech is generated based on multiple items of sensor information, rather than speech simply being generated based on one item of sensor information, because of which a more flexible speech generation can be carried out. 
     The robot of the embodiment may include a multiple of sensors that detect a physical quantity and output sensor information, and an interpreting unit that interprets a semantic situation in which the robot is placed based on the sensor information, and the speech generating unit may generate speech based on the semantic situation interpreted by the interpreting unit. 
     According to this configuration, sensor information is not simply reflected in speech generation, but rather a semantic situation is interpreted from the sensor information, and speech is generated based on the interpreted semantic situation, because of which speech indicating a response closer to that of a living being can be generated. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech generating unit may generate speech when it is interpreted using the interpreting unit that the robot is being hugged. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech generating unit may generate speech in which the sensor information is reflexively reflected. 
     According to this configuration, speech in which sensor information is reflexively reflected can be generated. For example, when a sensor is a sensor that detects a collision, and the speech output unit outputs speech in response to being subjected to the collision, the speech generating unit can output speech of a large magnitude when the collision is large, and can output speech of a small magnitude when the collision is small. Because of this, the speech generating unit can output speech of a magnitude that is in accordance with a stimulus, as does a living being. More specifically, in a case wherein the robot outputs speech saying “Ouch!” when the robot is hit, a robot that says “Ouch!” at a small magnitude when hit lightly, and says “Ouch!” at a large magnitude when hit hard, can be realized. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech generating unit may generate speech of a volume based on the sensor information. 
     According to this configuration, when a sensor is an acceleration sensor, for example, speech of a large magnitude can be generated when a large acceleration is detected. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the sensor may be an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration as the physical quantity and outputs acceleration as the sensor information, and the speech generating unit may generate speech whose volume changes in accordance with a change of the acceleration. 
     According to this configuration, for example, by causing the robot to vibrate, speech whose volume increases or decreases in accordance with a cycle of the vibration can be output. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech generating unit may generate speech of an interval based on the sensor information. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the sensor may be an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration as the physical quantity and outputs acceleration as the sensor information, and the speech generating unit may generate speech whose interval changes in accordance with a change of the acceleration. 
     According to this configuration, for example, by causing the robot to vibrate, speech having vibrato in accordance with a cycle of the vibration can be output. 
     A program of the embodiment is a program for generating speech output from the robot, and causes a computer to execute a speech generating step of generating speech and a speech outputting step of outputting the generated speech. 
     Also, the robot of the embodiment is a robot including a speech output unit that outputs individual speech. According to this configuration, individual speech is output from the robot, because of which a user is liable to feel that the robot is a living being. Because of this, the user forming an attachment to the robot is promoted. 
     In the embodiment, individual speech means, for example, speech that is distinguishable from that of another individual, and that has identity in the same individual. Vocal individuality means that, for example, even when a multiple of robots output speech with the same contents, spectral characteristics and rhythmic characteristics thereof differ in each individual. Also, vocal identity means that, for example, even when items of speech with differing contents are output by the same robot individual, the items of speech are recognized as being items of speech of the same individual. 
     The robot of the embodiment may further include an individuality forming unit that forms individuality, and the speech output unit may output speech that is in accordance with the formed individuality. According to this configuration, individuality is formed in a process of use rather than being provided fixedly. 
     The robot of the embodiment may further include a speech generating unit that generates speech that is in accordance with the formed individuality, and the speech output unit may output the generated speech. According to this configuration, speech is generated using a speech generating unit, because of which speech that is in accordance with individuality can be easily output. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech generating unit may include a standard speech fixing unit that fixes standard speech, and a speech adjusting unit that adjusts the fixed standard speech in such a way as to be individual speech. According to this configuration, individual speech can be easily generated. 
     The robot of the embodiment may further include a growth managing unit that manages growth of the robot, and the individuality forming unit may form the individuality in accordance with the growth of the robot. According to this configuration, individuality is formed in accordance with growth of the robot. 
     The robot of the embodiment may further include an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction from a user, and the individuality forming unit may form the individuality based on the received instruction. According to this configuration, robot individuality can be formed based on a user instruction. 
     The robot of the embodiment may further include a microphone that converts a sound into an electrical signal, and the individuality forming unit may form the individuality based on the electrical signal. According to this configuration, individuality is formed based on received sound waves. 
     The robot of the embodiment may include a positioning device that measures a position, and the individuality forming unit may form the individuality based on a measured position. According to this configuration, individuality is formed in accordance with a position of the robot. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the individuality forming unit may fix the individuality at random. 
     Also, a robot of another aspect of the embodiment includes a speech generating unit that generates speech by simulating a speech emitting mechanism of a predetermined vocal organ, and a speech output unit that outputs generated speech. According to this configuration, individual speech can be generated and output by simulating a speech emitting mechanism of the vocal organ. 
     The robot of the embodiment may further include a sensor that acquires external environmental information, and the speech generating unit may cause a parameter used in a simulation to change based on environmental information obtained from the sensor. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech generating unit may cause the parameter to change in conjunction with environmental information obtained from the sensor. 
     The robot of the embodiment may further include an internal state managing unit that causes an internal state to change based on environmental information obtained from the sensor, and the speech generating unit may cause the parameter to change in conjunction with the internal state. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the vocal organ may have a vocal cord organ resembling a vocal cord, and may cause a parameter relating to the vocal cord organ to change in conjunction with a change of the internal state. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the vocal organ may have a multiple of organs, and the speech generating unit may use parameters indicating a form-related aspect of each organ accompanying a passing of time in a simulation. 
     The robot of the embodiment may further include a microphone that imports speech output from another robot, and a comparison unit that compares speech output from the other robot and the robot of the embodiment&#39;s speech, and the speech generating unit may cause parameters indicating the form-related aspects to change in such a way that the speech of the other robot and the robot of the embodiment&#39;s speech differ. 
     The robot of the embodiment further includes a speech generating condition recognizing unit that recognizes speech conditions including a speech output start timing and at least one portion of speech parameters, the speech generating unit may generate speech that coincides with a set of the at least one portion of speech parameters included in the speech conditions, and the speech output unit may output speech generated by the speech generating unit at the speech output start timing included in the speech conditions. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech generating unit may generate speech that coincides with the at least one portion of speech parameters included in the speech conditions, and that is in accordance with individuality of the robot. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech generating condition recognizing unit may recognize a first speech condition, which is a speech condition of the robot of the embodiment, via communication, and the first speech condition may be a condition the same as at least one portion of a second speech condition, which is a speech condition indicated to another robot. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the one portion of speech parameters may include a parameter indicating a pitch. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that a first pitch included in the first speech condition may be in a predetermined relationship with a second pitch included in the second speech condition. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that a first output start timing included in the first speech condition may be a timing the same as a second output start timing included in the second speech condition, and an interval that is a relative relationship between the first pitch included in the first speech condition and the second pitch included in the second speech condition may be a consonant interval. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech condition may include a condition indicating a length of speech contents, and the robot may further include a standard speech fixing unit that randomly fixes contents of speech corresponding to the length of speech contents. 
     The robot of the embodiment is such that the speech condition may include a condition indicating a length of speech contents, and the robot may further include a standard speech fixing unit that randomly fixes contents of speech corresponding to the length of speech contents based on items of speech collected in the past. 
     A program of the embodiment is a program for generating speech output from the robot, and causes a computer to execute an individuality forming step of forming individuality of the robot, a speech generating step of generating speech that is in accordance with the formed individuality, and a speech outputting step of outputting the generated speech. 
       FIG. 1A  is a front external view of a robot, and  FIG. 1B  is a side external view of the robot. A robot  100  in the embodiment is an autonomously acting robot that fixes an action or a gesture based on an external environment and an internal state. The external environment is detected by a sensor group including a camera, a microphone, an acceleration sensor, a touch sensor, and the like. The internal state is quantified as various parameters that express emotions of the robot  100 . 
     The robot  100  has, for example, a familiarity parameter for each user as a parameter expressing emotion. When the robot  100  recognizes an action indicating a liking toward the robot  100 , such as picking the robot  100  up or speaking to the robot  100 , familiarity with respect to that user increases. Meanwhile, familiarity decreases with respect to a user not involved with the robot  100 , a user who behaves roughly, or a user met infrequently. 
     A body  104  of the robot  100  has a rounded form all over, and includes an outer skin formed of a soft material having elasticity, such as urethane, rubber, a resin, or a fiber. A weight of the robot  100  is 15 kilograms or less, preferably 10 kilograms or less, and more preferably still 5 kilograms. Also, a height of the robot  100  is 1.2 meters or less, or preferably 0.7 meters or less. In particular, owing to size and weight being reduced by the weight being in the region of 5 kilograms or less and the height being in the region of 0.7 meters or less, a user, including a child, can easily hug the robot, which is desirable. 
     The robot  100  includes three wheels for three-wheeled traveling. The robot  100  includes a pair of front wheels  102  (a left wheel  102   a  and a right wheel  102   b ) and one rear wheel  103 , as shown in the drawings. The front wheels  102  are drive wheels, and the rear wheel  103  is a driven wheel. Although the front wheels  102  have no steering mechanism, rotational speed and a direction of rotation can be individually controlled. 
     The rear wheel  103  is a so-called omni wheel or a caster, and rotates freely in order to cause the robot  100  to move forward and back, and left and right. By controlling so that the rotational speed of the right wheel  102   b  is greater than that of the left wheel  102   a , the robot  100  can turn left or rotate counterclockwise. Also, by controlling so that the rotational speed of the left wheel  102   a  is greater than that of the right wheel  102   b , the robot  100  can turn right or rotate clockwise. 
     The front wheels  102  and the rear wheel  103  can be completely housed in the body  104  using a drive mechanism (a pivoting mechanism and a linking mechanism). A greater portion of each wheel is hidden by the body  104  when traveling too, but when each wheel is completely housed in the body  104 , the robot  100  is in a state of being unable to move. That is, the body  104  descends, and sits on a floor surface F, in accompaniment to an operation of the wheels being housed. In the sitting state, a flat seating face  108  (a grounding bottom face) formed in a bottom portion of the body  104  comes into contact with the floor surface F. 
     The robot  100  has two arms  105 . The robot  100  is capable of actions such as raising, waving, and oscillating the arm  105 . The two arms  105  can be individually controlled. 
     An image can be displayed in an eye  106  using a liquid crystal element or an organic EL element. The robot  100  includes various sensors, such as a microphone or an ultrasonic wave sensor that can identify a sound source direction, a smell sensor, a distance sensor, and an acceleration sensor. Also, the robot  100  incorporates a speaker, and can emit simple speech of in the region of one to three syllables. A capacitive touch sensor is installed in the body  104  of the robot  100 . The robot  100  can detect a touch by a user using the touch sensor. 
     A horn  109  is attached to a head portion of the robot  100 . An omnidirectional camera is attached to the horn  109 , and can film all regions above the robot  100  at one time. 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view schematically showing a structure of the robot  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the body  104  of the robot  100  includes a base frame  308 , a main body frame  310 , a pair of resin wheel covers  312 , and an outer skin  314 . The base frame  308  is made of metal, configures an axial center of the body  104 , and supports an internal structure. The base frame  308  is such that an upper plate  332  and a lower plate  334  are configured by a multiple of side plates  336  being linked thereto vertically. A sufficient interval is provided between the multiple of side plates  336  in order that ventilation can be carried out. A battery  117 , a control circuit  342 , and various kinds of actuator are housed inside the base frame  308 . 
     The main body frame  310  is formed from a resin material, and includes a head portion frame  316  and a trunk portion frame  318 . The head portion frame  316  is of a hollow hemispherical form, and forms a head portion framework of the robot  100 . The trunk portion frame  318  is formed of a neck portion frame  3181 , a chest portion frame  3182 , and an abdominal portion frame  3183 , is of a stepped cylindrical form overall, and forms a trunk portion framework of the robot  100 . The trunk portion frame  318  is fixed integrally to the base frame  308 . The head portion frame  316  is attached to an upper end portion (the neck portion frame  3181 ) of the trunk portion frame  318  in such a way as to be relatively displaceable. 
     Three shafts, those being a yaw shaft  320 , a pitch shaft  322 , and a roll shaft  324 , and an actuator  326  for driving each shaft so as to rotate, are provided in the head portion frame  316 . The actuator  326  includes a multiple of servo motors for driving each shaft individually. The yaw shaft  320  is driven for a head shaking action, the pitch shaft  322  is driven for a nodding action, and the roll shaft  324  is driven for a head tilting action. 
     A plate  325  that supports the yaw shaft  320  is fixed to an upper portion of the head portion frame  316 . A multiple of ventilation holes  327  for securing ventilation between portions above and below are formed in the plate  325 . 
     A metal base plate  328  is provided in such a way as to support the head portion frame  316  and an internal mechanism thereof from below. The base plate  328  is linked to the plate  325  via a cross-link  329  (a pantograph mechanism), and is coupled to the upper plate  332  (the base frame  308 ) via a joint  330 . 
     The trunk portion frame  318  houses the base frame  308  and a wheel drive mechanism  370 . The wheel drive mechanism  370  includes a rotary shaft  378  and an actuator  379 . A lower half portion (the abdominal portion frame  3813 ) of the trunk portion frame  318  is of a small width in order to forma housing space Sp of the front wheel  102  between the trunk portion frame  318  and the wheel cover  312 . 
     The outer skin  314  is formed of urethane rubber, and covers the main body frame  310  and the wheel covers  312  from an outer side. The arm  105  is molded integrally with the outer skin  314 . An aperture portion  390  for introducing external air is provided in an upper end portion of the outer skin  314 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a front view of a neck portion of the robot  100 .  FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the neck portion seen from the front and above.  FIG. 3C  is an A-A sectional view of the neck portion.  FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of the neck portion seen from diagonally above. The neck portion of the robot  100  is formed by various kinds of part, including a substrate, being mounted in the neck portion frame  3181 . A speaker  112  is provided in the neck portion frame  3181 . 
     The speaker  112  is installed facing upward on a front side of the neck portion frame  3181 . That is, a diaphragm  1121  of the speaker  112  is installed in a horizontal direction. A horn  1122  is formed extending in upward and forward directions in an upper portion of the diaphragm  1121 , and a leading end of the horn  1122  is opened toward the front. An opened face of the horn  1122  corresponds to a position of a mouth of the robot  100 . Also, an area of the opened face of the horn  1122  and an area of the diaphragm  1121  are formed in such a way as to be approximately equal. By providing the horn  1122 , a disposition of the speaker  112  can be provided with freedom. 
     According to this configuration, a sound wave generated by vibration of the diaphragm  1121  and emitted upward is output by the horn  1122  with an orientation changed to the front. Therefore, it sounds to a user as though speech is coming out of a mouth portion of the robot  100 . In particular, the user can more clearly recognize that speech is being output from the mouth portion when speech of a low volume is emitted from the robot  100 . Communication such that the user brings his or her ear closer to the mouth portion of the robot  100  in order to hear the speech clearly is conceivable. 
       FIG. 4  is a drawing showing a hardware configuration of the robot  100 . The robot  100  includes a display device  110 , an internal sensor  111 , the speaker  112 , a communication unit  113 , a storage device  114 , a processor  115 , a drive mechanism  116 , and a battery  117  inside a frame  101 . The drive mechanism  116  includes the heretofore described wheel drive mechanism  370 . The processor  115  and the storage device  114  are included in the control circuit  342 . 
     The units are connected to each other by a power line  120  and a signal line  122 . The battery  117  supplies power to each unit via the power line  120 . Each unit transmits and receives a control signal via the signal line  122 . The battery  117  is, for example, a lithium ion rechargeable battery, and is a power source of the robot  100 . 
     The drive mechanism.  116  is an actuator that controls the internal mechanism. The drive mechanism  116  has a function of causing the robot  100  to move and of changing an orientation by driving the front wheels  102  and the rear wheel  103 . The drive mechanism  116  controls the arm  105  via a wire  118 , thereby causing actions such as raising the arm  105 , waving the arm  105 , and causing the arm  105  to oscillate to be carried out. Also, the drive mechanism  116  has a function of controlling the head portion, thereby changing an orientation of the head portion. 
     The internal sensor  111  is a collection of various kinds of sensor incorporated in the robot  100 . As the internal sensor  111 , there is, for example, a camera (omnidirectional camera), a microphone, a distance sensor (infrared sensor), a thermosensor, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a smell sensor, and the like. The speaker  112  outputs speech. 
     The communication unit  113  is a communication module that carries out wireless communication with a server, an external sensor, another robot, and various kinds of external device, such as a mobile device possessed by a user, as a target. The storage device  114  is configured of a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory, and stores various kinds of program, including a speech generation program to be described hereafter, and various kinds of setting information. The drive mechanism  116  is an actuator that controls the internal mechanism. 
     The display device  110  is installed in a position of an eye of the robot, and has a function of causing an image of an eye to be displayed. The display device  110  displays an image of an eye of the robot  100  by combining eye parts such as a pupil and an eyelid. When external light or the like enters the eye, a catch light may be displayed in a position that is in accordance with a position of an external light source. 
     The processor  115  has a function of causing the robot  100  to act by controlling the drive mechanism  116 , the speaker  112 , the display device  110 , and the like, based on sensor information acquired by the internal sensor  111  and various kinds of information acquired via the communication unit  113 . Also, the robot  100  has a clock (unshown) that manages a current date and time. Information regarding the current date and time is provided to each unit as necessary. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a configuration for outputting speech in the robot  100 . The robot  100  includes the internal sensor  111 , a positioning device  131 , an instruction receiving unit  132 , a growth managing unit  133 , a situation interpreting unit  134 , an individuality forming unit  135 , a speech generating unit  136 , and the speaker  112  acting as a speech output unit. 
     The speech generating unit  136  includes a speech content database  1361 , a standard speech fixing unit  1362 , a speech synthesizing unit  1363 , and a speech adjusting unit  1364 . The growth managing unit  133 , the situation interpreting unit  134 , the individuality forming unit  135 , the standard speech fixing unit  1362 , the speech synthesizing unit  1363 , and the speech adjusting unit  1364  are software modules realized by the processor  115  executing the speech generation program of the embodiment. 
     Also, the speech content database  1361  is configured of the storage device  114 . The instruction receiving unit  132  being a unit that receives an instruction using communication, the communication unit  113  corresponds thereto. In particular, the instruction receiving unit  132  of the embodiment receives an instruction from a user regarding a formation of individuality by the individuality forming unit  135 . 
     The internal sensor  111  detects various physical quantities in an external environment of the robot  100  (that is, external environmental information), and outputs sensor information indicating environmental information (that is, a sensor detection value). The internal sensor  111  includes a touch sensor  1111 , an acceleration sensor  1112 , a camera  1113 , and a microphone  1114 . Although the aforementioned sensors are shown in  FIG. 5  as sensors relating to speech output in the embodiment, speech may be output based on sensor information from another previously mentioned sensor. 
     Also, although only one touch sensor  1111  is shown in  FIG. 5 , the touch sensor  1111  may be provided in each of a back head portion, a face, a right arm, a left arm, an abdominal portion, a back, and the like, of the robot  100 . The touch sensor  1111  is a capacitive touch sensor, and when a user comes into contact with a relevant portion of the robot  100 , the touch sensor  1111  detects this, and outputs sensor information indicating that there has been a contact. 
     Also, although only one acceleration sensor  1112  is shown in  FIG. 5 , the acceleration sensor  1112  may include three acceleration sensors detecting an acceleration in each of an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a front-back direction. The three acceleration sensors  1112  output an acceleration in one each of the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction as sensor information. As the acceleration sensor  1112  also detects gravitational acceleration, a posture (orientation) of the robot  100  when the robot  100  is stationary, and a direction of movement when the robot  100  has moved, can be obtained based on accelerations of the three acceleration sensors  1112 , whose axial directions are perpendicular to each other. 
     The camera  1113  is provided in the horn  109 , and films all regions above the robot  100  at one time, as heretofore described. The camera  1113  outputs an image obtained by filming as sensor information. The microphone  1114  converts a sound into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal as sensor information. 
     The situation interpreting unit  134  interprets a semantic situation in which the robot  100  is being placed based on sensor information from the various kinds of sensor  1111  to  1114 . Because of this, the situation interpreting unit  134  accumulates sensor information for a certain period output from the internal sensor  111 . 
     For example, when the acceleration sensor  1112  detects that the robot  100  has moved in an upward direction in a state wherein the touch sensor  1111  is detecting that the robot  100  is being touched, after which there is a gentle acceleration change, the situation interpreting unit  134  interprets the situation as being that the robot  100  is being hugged by a user. 
     In addition, the situation interpreting unit  134  can interpret a situation as being that the robot  100  is being stroked by a user based on sensor information from the touch sensor  1111 , and can interpret a situation as being that the robot  100  is being spoken to based on sensor information from the microphone  1114 . In this way, interpretation of a semantic situation means, for example, that rather than sensor information simply being treated as it is, various kinds of sensor information are used as appropriate in accordance with a posture, a situation, and a state of the robot  100  to be determined, whereby the posture of the robot  100  is identified, the situation in which the robot  100  is being placed is identified, and the state of the robot  100  is determined. The situation interpreting unit  134  outputs interpreted details in order that the interpreted details can be utilized as an event in a processing at a subsequent stage. 
     A candidate for a semantic situation to be interpreted is stored in the situation interpreting unit  134 . The situation interpreting unit  134  infers a semantic situation from among multiple candidates prepared in advance based on multiple items of sensor information. With various kinds of sensor information as inputs, a lookup table, a decision tree, a support vector machine (SVM), a neural network, or another method, may be used for the inference. 
     Although a depiction is omitted from  FIG. 5 , a semantic situation interpreted by the situation interpreting unit  134  is also reflected in an action or gesture other than speech of the robot  100 . That is, the robot  100  interprets a semantic situation from a physical quantity of the external environment detected by the internal sensor  111 , and executes a reaction to the external environment. For example, when interpreting that the robot  100  is in a situation of being hugged, a control such as closing the eyes is carried out as a reaction. Speech output described in this embodiment is also one reaction to the external environment. 
     The growth managing unit  133  manages growth of the robot  100 . The robot  100  grows in accordance with details and a quantity of experiences of interpreting a semantic situation in which the robot  100  is being placed based on sensor information from the internal sensor  111 , and executing a reaction. This “growth” is expressed using a growth parameter. 
     The growth managing unit  133  carries out a process of updating and storing the growth parameter. The growth managing unit  133  may manage a multiple of growth parameters. The growth managing unit  133  may, for example, manage growth parameters expressing emotional growth and physical growth individually. Physical growth is, for example, speed when moving, wherein, for example, control may be such that the robot  100  does not output a maximum speed that can be output at first, but the output speed increases as the robot  100  grows. Also, the growth managing unit  133  holds a date and time of a power supply being turned on, and manages a time elapsed from the date and time of the power supply being turned on until the present. The growth managing unit  133  manages a growth parameter correlated to the time elapsed. For example, growth parameters expressing emotional growth and physical growth individually may be managed by the growth managing unit  133 . 
     The individuality forming unit  135  forms individuality of the robot  100 . Individuality of the robot  100  is expressed by at least one kind of individuality parameter. The individuality forming unit  135  forms individuality based on a situation (experience) interpreted using the situation interpreting unit  134  and a growth parameter managed by the growth managing unit  133 . In order to do this, the individuality forming unit  135  accumulates semantic situations interpreted using the situation interpreting unit  134  over a certain period. 
     In the embodiment, the robot  100  has no individuality at first, that is, at a point at which the power supply is turned on, and individuality parameters are the same in any robot  100 . The robot  100  forms individuality based on semantic situations interpreted by the situation interpreting unit  134 , and establishes the formed individuality in accordance with a growth parameter. Specifically, the individuality forming unit  135  causes an individuality parameter to gradually change from an initial value based on accumulated semantic situations, reduces the change in the individuality parameter in accompaniment to an updating (growth) of a growth parameter, and eventually establishes the individuality parameter. 
     Herein, “individuality” in the embodiment means, for example, being distinguishable from another individual, and having identity in the same individual. That is, even when a multiple of individuals interpret the same semantic situation based on sensor information, the multiple of individuals (robots  100 ) can be said to be distinguishable when the multiple of individuals react in differing ways. Also, when multiple kinds of reaction by the same individual have commonality, the individual can be said to have identity. Note that with regard to a demand for distinctiveness, it is permissible that combinations of multiple individuals whose individualities are the same exist at a sufficiently low probability. 
     The individuality forming unit  135  updates and stores an individuality parameter expressing individuality. The individuality forming unit  135  may treat multiple kinds of individuality parameter. In the embodiment, “voice quality” is included in individuality formed by the individuality forming unit  135 . In addition to this, character (wanting company, being lively, being short-tempered, being easy-going, and the like), physical ability (maximum speed of movement, and the like), and the like may be included as individuality. 
     When there is one kind of individuality parameter, individuality expressed by the individuality parameter may be individuality that has no meaning. Also, individuality parameters may be continuous, and individuality may be formed by multiple kinds being prepared as candidates, and the individuality forming unit  135  selecting from among the candidates. For example, when individuality is expressed by one kind of individuality parameter, several tens to several hundred kinds of individuality parameter candidates may be prepared. When there is a number of kinds of candidate in this region, distinctiveness can be realized (that is, the probability of individuality being the same when differing individuals are compared can be sufficiently reduced). 
     The individuality forming unit  135  may form individuality based on a position of the robot  100  fixed using the positioning device  131 . For example, with regard to the individuality “voice quality”, a regional accent in accordance with the position (region) of the robot  100  may be formed as individuality. The individuality forming unit  135  may form (set) individuality based on an instruction from the instruction receiving unit  132 . 
     The standard speech fixing unit  1362  determines that speech is to be generated, and fixes the contents of the generated speech. A candidate for the contents of the generated speech is stored as standard speech in the speech content database  1361 . The standard speech fixing unit  1362  fixes speech contents to be output by selecting standard speech from the speech content database  1361 . 
     The standard speech fixing unit  1362  determines that speech is to be output, and what the contents thereof are to be, in accordance with an external environment and/or an internal state. The speech generating unit  136  sometimes generates speech consciously, and sometimes generates speech reflexively. Generating conscious speech means that, for example, the standard speech fixing unit  1362  determines that speech is to be generated, and what the contents thereof are to be, based on the internal state of the robot  100  and a semantic situation interpreted by the situation interpreting unit  134 . For example, the speech generating unit  136  outputs speech with contents expressing a happy feeling in accordance with the situation interpreting unit  134  interpreting the situation to be that the robot  100  is being hugged. 
     The standard speech fixing unit  1362  consciously generates speech in accordance with an internal state such as an emotion, which changes in accordance with an external environment obtained as a multiple of sensor values. For example, when the robot  100  is spoken to by a user, the standard speech fixing unit  1362  generates speech responding thereto. Also, the standard speech fixing unit  1362 , for example, generates speech with a switching between emotions (internal states) such as enjoyment, sadness, and fear as a trigger, such as when wanting to be noticed by a user, or wanting to express enjoyment using a voice in addition to movement of the arms and legs. 
     Generating reflexive speech means, for example, determining that speech is to be generated, and what the contents thereof are to be, based on sensor information from the internal sensor  111 . As opposed to conscious speech generation, wherein a semantic situation is interpreted from sensor information or an internal state such as an emotion changes, and speech is generated in accordance with that kind of semantic situation or change in an internal state, reflexive speech generation is such that sensor information is reflected as it is in speech generation. An internal state managing unit, which causes an internal state to change based on sensor information indicating environmental information obtained from the internal sensor  111 , may be provided. 
     For example, the speech generating unit  136  outputs speech expressing a surprised reaction in accordance with a large acceleration being applied. Also, the speech generating unit  136  may output predetermined speech in accordance with acceleration of a predetermined value or greater continuing for a predetermined time or longer. A case wherein a large acceleration is applied is, for example, a case wherein the robot  100  is hit, or collides with something. Also, a case wherein acceleration of a predetermined value or greater continues for a predetermined time or longer is, for example, a case wherein the robot  100  is swung around widely, or a case wherein the robot  100  drops from a height. Also, generating speech in such a way that sensor information such as acoustic pressure of a sound detected by a microphone or light intensity (brightness) detected by an illuminance sensor is reflected as it is also corresponds to reflexive speech generation. 
     In this way, reflexive speech generation is such that speech is generated in such a way that sensor information is reflected as it is, because of which speech in which there is little delay, and that is in accordance with a stimulus received by the robot  100 , can be generated. This kind of reflexive speech generation is such that a value of each sensor fulfilling a predetermined condition (for example, reaching a predetermined value or greater) may be a trigger for generating reflexive speech. 
     Furthermore, for example, when an action such as a movement or a gesture is performed based on an information processing in the interior, rather than as a reaction to an external environment, the standard speech fixing unit  1362  may determine that speech is to be output to correspond to the action. The standard speech fixing unit  1362  may determine that corresponding speech is to be output when, for example, the robot  100  tenses up, or when the robot  100  releases tension from a tensed up state, and fix standard speech. Conversely, a configuration may be such that when the standard speech fixing unit  1362  determines that speech is to be output, an arm or the head is moved in accordance with the output of the speech. 
     Also, the standard speech fixing unit  1362  may determine that speech is to be output based on a combination of a semantic situation interpreted by the situation interpreting unit  134  and sensor information, and fix corresponding standard speech. For example, the standard speech fixing unit  1362  may determine that corresponding speech is to be output when a state of being rocked up and down continues for a certain period when the situation is interpreted as being that the robot  100  is being held on a knee. A rocking state can be determined by focusing on a temporal change of the acceleration sensor value. A rocking state may be determined by pattern matching of a sensor value waveform, or may be determined based on machine learning. 
     By considering a sensor value over a certain period in this way, for example, a time until speech is emitted can be caused to change in accordance with familiarity toward a user who is holding the robot  100  on a knee. For example, when there is an experience such that a user has been pleased when speech has been generated in the same situation in the past, speech may be generated in a shorter time based on the experience. In this way, time from an external environment or an internal state changing until speech is generated can be short. 
     Speech to be consciously output in response to an internal state or to a semantic situation interpreted using the situation interpreting unit  134 , and standard speech to be reflexively output in response to sensor information from the internal sensor  111 , are stored in the speech content database  1361 . These items of speech are simple items of speech of in the region of one to three syllables. For example, the standard speech “Aaah” expressing a feeling of comfort is stored in the speech content database  1361  with respect to a situation of being hugged, and the reflexively emitted standard speech “Ouch!” is stored with respect to a large acceleration. In this way, speech content may be an exclamation, may be a sound such as humming, or may be a noun or an adjective. 
     Herein, a parameter group for generating speech is stored in the speech content database  1361  of the embodiment, rather than standard speech being stored as speech data such as WAV or MP3. The parameter group is output to the speech synthesizing unit  1363 , to be described hereafter. The speech synthesizing unit  1363  carries out a process of generating speech by adjusting a synthesizer using the parameter group. Instead of the embodiment, basic sound data may be held in advance in a format such as WAV using the speech content database  1361 , and an adjustment added thereto using the speech adjusting unit  1364 . 
     The speech synthesizing unit  1363  is configured of a synthesizer, and is realized by, for example, software. The speech synthesizing unit  1363  reads a standard speech parameter group fixed using the standard speech fixing unit  1362  from the speech content database  1361 , and synthesizes speech using the read parameter group. 
     The speech adjusting unit  1364  adjusts speech synthesized using the speech synthesizing unit  1363  based on an individuality parameter stored in the individuality forming unit  135 . In particular, the speech adjusting unit  1364  carries out adjustment in such away that it can be recognized that any item of standard speech is speech that is being emitted by the same individual. Also, the speech adjusting unit  1364  changes a tone of voice in accordance with familiarity toward a user who is a communication target. 
     In order to carry out adjustment of multiple items of standard speech in accordance with an individuality parameter, the speech adjusting unit  1364  carries out a voice quality conversion whereby non-linguistic information such as voice quality or rhythm is adjusted, without causing linguistic (phonemic) information included in the standard speech to change. 
     Individuality in speech depends on characteristics appearing in a spectrum and a rhythm of the speech. In a case of a living being, spectral characteristics are fixed depending on properties of an articulatory organ of an individual, that is, physical characteristics such as vocal cord or vocal tract form, and appear mainly as differences in individual voice quality. Meanwhile, rhythmic characteristics appear as differences in intonation, syllabic stress, syllabic length, syllabic vibrato, and the like. Consequently, in order to realize a voice quality conversion, the speech adjusting unit  1364  converts spectral characteristics and rhythmic characteristics of standard speech in accordance with individuality formed using the individuality forming unit  135 . 
     Firstly, spectral characteristics will be described. Speech conversion from standard speech to speech of the relevant individual is such that when spectral characteristics (for example, a mel-cepstral coefficient vector or a line spectral frequency vector) of the standard speech at a time t are taken to be x t , and spectral characteristics of the speech of the relevant individual converted from x t  are taken to be y t , a voice quality conversion focused on spectral characteristic conversion is as follows. That is, a conversion function y t =F s (x t ) that converts to spectral characteristics that are in accordance with individuality of the relevant individual based on standard speech spectral characteristics is expressed by the following Equation 1. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
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     Herein, A i  is a conversion matrix, b i  is bias, and w i  is a weighting coefficient. A i , b i , and w i  are voice quality parameters that fix voice quality. Individuality with respect to voice quality is defined by the voice quality parameters. 
     At first, an initial value of a voice quality parameter is stored in the individuality forming unit  135 , the initial value voice quality parameter is gradually caused to change in accordance with experience and growth, and after a certain time elapses, an amount of the change is gradually reduced. After a certain period elapses, the amount of the change is gradually reduced. That is, the individuality forming unit  135  causes a voice quality parameter to change in accompaniment to an elapse of time. Because of this, voice quality changing in accordance with robot growth, and voice quality stabilizing at a certain point, can be expressed. In this voice quality transformation process, the individuality forming unit  135  creates a difference from a voice quality of another robot. Hereafter, a period until a voice quality stabilizes is called a “transformation period”. An initial value of the conversion matrix A i  is a unit matrix, an initial value of the bias b i  is a zero vector, and an initial value of the weighting coefficient w i  is a unit vector. 
     A voice quality conversion, such as a high/low voice or a filtered voice (a clear voice, a hoarse voice, or the like), can be carried out by the speech adjusting unit  1364  using the conversion of Equation 1. Individual speech can be generated by the voice quality conversion. 
     Next, rhythmic characteristics will be described. There are various methods of converting rhythmic characteristics in accordance with individuality of an individual. In the embodiment, rhythmic characteristics are expressed by intonation, syllabic stress, syllabic length, syllabic vibrato index, volume, speech rate level, and interval compression level. 
       FIG. 6  is a table showing a relationship between an intonation pattern and an index. With regard to intonation, intonation patterns formed of a combination of low, intermediate, and high are prepared for each of a case of one syllable, a case of two syllables, and a case of three syllables, and an index Ii1, Ii2, or Ii3 is allotted to each pattern for each number of syllables. 
       FIG. 7  is a table showing a relationship between a stress pattern and an index. With regard to stress too, stress patterns formed of a combination of weak, intermediate, and strong are prepared for each of a case of one syllable, a case of two syllables, and a case of three syllables, and an index Ia1, Ia2, or Ia3 is allotted to each pattern for each number of syllables. 
       FIG. 8  is a table showing a relationship between a length pattern and an index. With regard to length too, length patterns formed of a combination of short, intermediate, and long are prepared for each of a case of one syllable, a case of two syllables, and a case of three syllables, and an index Il1, Il2, or Il3 is allotted to each pattern for each number of syllables. 
       FIG. 9  is a table showing a relationship between a vibrato pattern and an index. With regard to vibrato too, vibrato patterns formed of a combination of present and absent are prepared for each of a case of one syllable, a case of two syllables, and a case of three syllables, and an index Iv1, Iv2, or Iv3 is allotted to each pattern for each number of syllables. 
     In the embodiment, furthermore, a volume V, a speech rate level S, and an interval compression level C are prepared as rhythmic characteristics. The volume V is a magnitude (volume) of speech. The speech rate level S is a level to which a standard speech enunciation time is compressed. The interval compression level C is a level to which a standard speech interval height difference is reduced. By changing a combination of rhythmic parameters such as intonation, stress, length, vibrato, volume, speech rate level, and interval compression level for each individual in this way, individual speech can be generated. 
     As another method of converting rhythmic characteristics, there is a method based on vector quantization, a method whereby an average value of a fundamental frequency FO or a speech rate is simply matched with an average value of the relevant individual, a method whereby the fundamental frequency FO is subjected to linear transformation with consideration to dispersion, a method based on rhythm generation using hidden Markov model (HMM) speech synthesis, and the like. Also, conversion of both spectral characteristics and rhythmic characteristics can be carried out based on HMM speech synthesis and speaker adaptation. 
     The individuality forming unit  135  stores the heretofore described voice quality parameters (A i , b i , and w i ) and the rhythmic parameters (Ii, Ia1, Ia2, Ia3, Il1, Il2, Il3, Iv1, Iv2, Iv3, V, S, and C) as individuality parameters (hereafter called “individual speech parameters”) relating to speech. The speech adjusting unit  1364  reads individual speech parameters from the individuality forming unit  135 , and converts standard speech fixed by the standard speech fixing unit  1362  using the individual speech parameters. The individuality forming unit  135  may store a different rhythmic parameter for each item of standard speech stored in the speech content database  1361 . By the voice quality parameters and the rhythmic parameters being changed for each individual, individual speech can be generated. 
     A method whereby the individuality forming unit  135  fixes an individual speech parameter will be described. A rhythmic parameter may be fixed based on a character of an individual. As heretofore described, character in the individuality forming unit  135  changes in accordance with experience and growth, because of which a rhythmic parameter may also change in a character forming process. When obtaining a corresponding rhythmic parameter from a character, a conversion function may be used, or a learning model learned using machine learning may be used. 
     Also, a rhythmic parameter may be fixed based on a region of an individual. In this case, as heretofore described, the individuality forming unit  135  is acquiring positional information from the positioning device  131 , because of which the individuality forming unit  135  fixes a rhythmic parameter based on the positional information in such a way as to correspond to the region. Because of this, adjustment of speech that is in accordance with a region, such as a West Japan accent or a North-East Japan accent, can be carried out. When obtaining a rhythmic parameter from positional information, a lookup table may be used. 
     Also, an individual speech parameter may be fixed based on an instruction received using the instruction receiving unit  132 . For example, when the instruction receiving unit  132  receives an instruction specifying a gender, the individuality forming unit  135  fixes a voice quality parameter or a rhythmic parameter in such a way as to correspond to the specified gender. 
     In order to carry out the instruction, an information terminal (for example, a smartphone or a personal computer) in which a control application is installed may be used. The information terminal receives an instruction with the control application as a user interface, and transfers the received instruction to the robot  100  as necessary via a network or a relay server. The instruction receiving unit  132  of the robot  100  can receive an instruction transmitted in this way. 
     Heretofore, the speech adjusting unit  1364  adjusting standard speech based on an individual speech parameter stored in the individuality forming unit  135  has been described. Furthermore, the speech adjusting unit  1364  adjusts rhythm based on sensor information from the internal sensor  111 . For example, when acceleration from the acceleration sensor  1112  oscillates in a cycle of a predetermined frequency or greater, the speech adjusting unit  1364  causes speech vibrato in accordance with the oscillation. That is, the speech adjusting unit  1364  causes the magnitude of an interval to change cyclically. Also, volume may be increased, or an interval increased, in accordance with the magnitude of acceleration from the acceleration sensor  1112 . 
     Adjusting speech so as to directly reflect sensor information in this way means that, when comparing with a living being for example, speech adjustment that reflexively reflects a stimulus from an external environment can be carried out. That is, the speech adjusting unit  1364  carries out a speech adjustment based on individuality, and when a predetermined stimulus from an external environment is applied, the speech adjusting unit  1364  also adjusts speech as a reaction to the stimulus. 
     Generation of individual speech, generation of reflexive speech, and generation of conscious speech are carried out by the speech generating unit  136 . That is, speech generated by the speech generating unit  136  is such that even when a sound is the same, a basis for the generation, that is, a trigger or a parameter of the speech generation, differs. A speech generating unit for generating reflexive speech and a speech generating unit that generates conscious speech may be provided as separate speech generating units. 
     Individual Speech Generation 
     Individual speech having distinctiveness is generated by the speech generating unit  136 . When there are a multiple of robots  100  in a home, speech of each robot  100  is generated in such a way that the voices of individual robots  100  are not the same. In order to realize this, the robot  100  captures the voice of another individual using the microphone  1114 , and generates speech in such a way as to differ from the captured voice. The speech generating unit  136  has a comparison unit (not shown) that imports the voice of another individual using the microphone  1114 , and compares the voice with the voice of the robot  100  itself to determine whether or not there is a difference in the voices. When it is determined by the comparison unit that there is no difference from the other voice, that is, that there is no distinctiveness, the individuality forming unit  135  changes an individual speech parameter. A speech parameter is changed in accordance with the voice of another individual for an individual that is in the transformation period, and a speech parameter is not changed for an individual that has exceeded the transformation period. Listening to the speech of another individual and creating a voice that is different therefrom while doing so in this way means that although the voices are the same when the power is turned on, individual differences become clear when a certain period has elapsed. 
     Reflexive Speech Generation 
     When a person is subjected to a certain kind of external stimulus, the person may subconsciously and reflexively emit speech. This is, for example, when feeling pain or when feeling surprise. A generation of reflexive speech by the speech generating unit  136  resembles this kind of subconscious speech emission. The speech generating unit  136  generates reflexive speech when certain sensor information changes suddenly. In order to realize this, a value of the acceleration sensor  1112 , the microphone  1114 , or the touch sensor  1111  forms a trigger. Furthermore, the sensor value is also used to fix the volume of generated speech. 
     For example, when the robot  100  is suddenly lifted up while emitting some kind of speech, the speech generating unit  136  stops the speech being emitted at the time, and generates speech saying “Woah!” emitted when surprised. As another example, the speech generating unit  136 , at a point at which the robot  100  is suddenly lifted up, increases the volume of the speech being emitted at the time in conjunction with the magnitude of the acceleration. In this way, a sensor value is linked as it is to speech in reflexive speech generation. Specifically, when the robot  100  is rhythmically emitting a sound as though saying “Brum, brum, brum, brum”, and is suddenly lifted up around the third “Bru”, the volume of “Brum” at that point suddenly increases, the rhythm is broken, and the robot  100  shouts. 
     Conscious Speech Generation 
     Conscious speech generation generates speech that expresses an emotion. In the same way as an atmosphere changes when background music changes in a movie or a drama, it can be thought that a sound of the robot  100  is also one kind of performance. The robot  100  is such that emotion changes like a wave. That is, emotion changes constantly in accordance with a stimulus from an external environment. As emotion changes like a wave, a parameter value indicating an emotion reaches a maximum in a certain situation, after which the parameter value gradually drops as time elapses. 
     For example, when the robot  100  is surrounded by users, and a large number of smiling faces and laughing voices are detected by the camera  1113  and the microphone  1114 , a wave of emotion to the effect that “This is fun” swells up in the robot  100 . At this timing, the speech generating unit  136  selects a parameter for a fun time from the speech content database  1361 , and generates speech. For example, when being rocked up and down while being held on a knee, the robot  100  interprets the situation, a wave of emotion to the effect that “I&#39;m happy” occurs, and the robot  100  generates speech expressing the emotion “I&#39;m happy”. Furthermore, as the acceleration sensor value is indicating a cyclical rocking at this time, the robot  100  begins to add vibrato that is in accordance with the cycle to the speech emission. 
     Sensor information from the internal sensor  111 , such as the acceleration sensor  1112 , not only forms a trigger for reflexive speech generation, but also affects speech while speech is being emitted. The effect may be a quantitative condition such as the sensor information exceeding a predetermined value, or an extent of the effect may change qualitatively in accordance with an internal state such as an emotion at the time. By speech being generated using the speech generating unit  136  based on sensor information in this way, the robot  100  generates speech by reflecting sensor information and an internal state in combination, rather than always generating the same speech. 
     The speaker  112  outputs speech adjusted by the speech adjusting unit  1364 . 
     As heretofore described, the robot  100  of the embodiment generates and outputs speech using the speech generating unit  136 , rather than outputting as it is speech prepared as a sound source in advance in order to output speech, because of which a more flexible speech output can be carried out. 
     Specifically, the robot  100  can output individual speech having distinctiveness and identity. Because of this, a user can recognize his or her own robot  100  as distinct from another robot  100  by listening to speech, because of which the user forming an attachment to the robot  100  can be effectively promoted. Also, the robot  100  can generate speech based on sensor information. Because of this, the robot  100  can output reflexively adjusted speech by causing the voice to tremble in accordance with oscillation, or the like. 
     In the embodiment, no individuality is formed at first in the robot  100  (in particular, the robot  100  does not have distinctiveness), spectral characteristics and rhythmic characteristics of speech are the same in any robot  100 , and individuality is formed in a usage process, but instead of this, a different individuality may be formed in each individual from the start. 
     Also, in the embodiment, a user can specify individuality using a control application, but instead of this, or in addition to this, a configuration may be such that a user can order a return to an initial value by cancelling the individuality of the robot  100  via a control application. 
     Alternatively, although no individuality is formed in the robot  100  at first, the individuality forming unit  135  may fix individuality at random when the power supply is first turned on. Furthermore, individuality of the robot  100  may be rendered visible via a control application. In this case, the robot  100  transmits an individuality parameter via the communication unit  113 , and the individuality parameter is received and displayed in an information terminal in which a control application is installed. 
     Also, in the embodiment, the individuality forming unit  135  forms individuality based on a situation interpreted by the situation interpreting unit  134  and a growth parameter managed by the growth managing unit  133 , but instead of this, or in addition to this, the individuality forming unit  135  may analyze user speech detected by the microphone  1114 , acquire the spectral characteristics and the rhythmic characteristics of the user speech, and fix an individual speech parameter in such a way as to approximate the user speech. By so doing, a performance such that the speech of the robot  100  approximates the user speech can be carried out. 
     Furthermore, a user reaction when the robot  100  outputs speech may be learned, and reflected in a formation of individuality by the individuality forming unit  135 . As user reactions, for example, a user smiling can be detected by carrying out image recognition on an image from the camera  1113 , and a user stroking the robot  100  can be detected based on sensor information from the touch sensor  1111 . 
     Also, the embodiment is such that after the contents of speech to be output are fixed by the standard speech fixing unit  1362 , the standard speech is adjusted by the speech adjusting unit  1364 , and output from the speaker  112 , but instead of this, standard speech stored in the speech content database  1361  may be adjusted in advance based on individuality formed by the individuality forming unit  135 , and stored in the speech content database  1361 . That is, speech generation may be carried out in advance, rather than immediately before the speech is output. 
     In this case, when the standard speech fixing unit  1362  determines that speech is to be output, and what the contents thereof are to be, speech already adjusted to correspond to the speech contents may be output from the speaker  112 . In this case too, the speech adjusting unit  1364  may carry out reflexive adjustment of the speech based on sensor information. 
     Also, in the embodiment, the growth managing unit  133 , the situation interpreting unit  134 , the individuality forming unit  135 , and the speech generating unit  136  are all included in the robot  100 , but one portion or all thereof may be included in a device that is separate from the robot  100 , and that can communicate with the robot  100 . This kind of device may carry out short-range communication with the robot  100  using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like, or may carry out communication via a wide-area network such as the Internet. 
     Robot Having Virtual Vocal Organs 
     Generally, speech emitting processes of living beings that have vocal organs are the same. For example, a human speech emitting process is such that a sound is emitted by air led through the trachea from a lung or an abdominal portion vibrating in the vocal cords, and the sound resonates in the oral cavity, the nasal cavity, or the like, becoming a large sound. Further, various voices are created by a form of the mouth or the tongue changing. Individual differences in voices are created by various differences such as body size, lung capacity, vocal cords, trachea size, oral cavity size, nasal cavity size, tooth alignment, how the tongue is moved, and the like. Also, even within the same person, a state of the trachea, the vocal cords, and the like changes in accordance with physical condition, and the voice changes. According to this kind of speech emitting process, voice quality changes from person to person, and a voice also changes in accordance with physical condition or an internal state such as an emotion. 
     Based on this kind of speech emitting process, the speech synthesizing unit  1363  in another embodiment generates speech by simulating a speech emitting process in virtual vocal organs. That is, the speech synthesizing unit  1363  is virtual vocal organs, and generates a voice with the virtual vocal organs, which are realized by software. For example, the virtual vocal organs may be of a structure that resembles human vocal organs, or may be of a structure that resembles vocal organs of an animal such as a dog or a cat. Having virtual vocal organs means that although a basic vocal organ structure is the same, speech unique to an individual can be generated by changing the size of the trachea in the virtual vocal organs, adjusting an amount of tension of the vocal cords, or changing the size of the oral cavity for each individual. A parameter group for generating speech held in the speech content database  1361  does not simply include direct parameters for generating a sound with a synthesizer, but also includes values that specify structural characteristics of each organ in the virtual vocal organs as parameters (hereafter called “static parameters”). Using these static parameters, a speech emitting process is simulated, and a voice is generated. 
     For example, a person can output various kinds of voice. A high voice, a low voice, singing along to a melody, laughing, or shouting, any kind of voice can be output within limits permitted by the structure of the vocal organs. This is because a form or a state of each organ configuring the vocal organs changes, and while a person can consciously cause the vocal organs to change, the vocal organs may also change subconsciously in response to an emotion or a stimulus. The speech synthesizing unit  1363  also has parameters (hereafter called “dynamic parameters”) relating to a state of this kind of organ that changes in conjunction with an external environment or an internal state, and carries out a simulation by causing the dynamic parameters to change in conjunction with an external environment or an internal state. 
     In general, when the vocal cords are tautened, the vocal cords lengthen, and a high sound is formed, and when the vocal cords are relaxed, the vocal cords contract, and a low sound is formed. For example, an organ resembling a vocal cord has a degree of vocal cord tautening (hereafter called “tautness”) as a static parameter, and a high voice or a low voice can be emitted by the tautness being adjusted. Because of this, the high-voiced robot  100  and the low-voiced robot  100  can be realized. Also, a voice sometimes cracks due to a person being tense, and in the same way, by causing the vocal cord tautness acting as a static parameter to change in conjunction with a state of tenseness of the robot  100 , the voice can become high when the robot  100  is tense. For example, when an internal parameter indicating a state of tenseness swings toward a value indicating that the robot  100  is tense, such as when the robot  100  recognizes an unknown person or when the robot  100  is suddenly lowered from a state of being hugged, the tautness of the vocal cords is increased in conjunction therewith, whereby a high voice can be emitted. By an internal state of the robot  100  and an organ of the speech emitting process being correlated in this way, and a parameter of the correlated organ being adjusted in accordance with the internal state, the voice can be changed in accordance with the internal state. 
     Herein, a static parameter and a dynamic parameter are parameters that indicate a geometric state of each organ accompanying an elapse of time. Virtual vocal organs carry out a simulation based on these parameters. 
     Also, by speech being generated based on a simulation, only speech based on a structural limitation of the vocal organs is generated. That is, no voice infeasible as that of a living being is generated, because of which a voice like that of a living being can be generated. 
     Synchronous Speech Emission by Multiple Robots  FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multiple of robots that can carry out synchronous speech emission. In the example of  FIG. 10 , a robot  100 A and a robot  100 B carry out synchronous speech emission. The robot  100 A and the robot  100 B have the same configuration. In the same way as in the heretofore described embodiment, the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B include instruction receiving units  132 A and  132 B, individuality forming units  135 A and  135 B, speech generating units  136 A and  136 B, and speakers  112 A and  112 B. In the same way as in the heretofore described embodiment, each of the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B further includes the internal sensor  111 , the positioning device  131 , the growth managing unit  133 , and the situation interpreting unit  134 , but these are omitted from  FIG. 10 . 
     As heretofore described, the instruction receiving units  132 A and  132 B correspond to the communication unit  113  (refer to  FIG. 4 ), which carries out wireless communication. In this embodiment, the instruction receiving units  132 A and  132 B can carry out wireless communication with each other. In this embodiment, in order to realize synchronous speech emission with the two robots  100 A and  100 B, contents of speech generated by the standard speech fixing unit  1362  are fixed in one robot, together with which speech conditions formed of a set of speech output start timings of the robot itself and the other robot and at least one portion of speech parameters are fixed, and the other robot outputs speech in accordance with the speech conditions fixed by the one robot. In this embodiment, an example wherein speech conditions are fixed by the robot  100 A, and the robot  100 B outputs speech in accordance with the speech conditions, will be described. 
     A standard speech fixing unit  1362 A of the robot  100 A fixes details of speech generated by the robot  100 A, and fixes speech conditions including a speech output start timing of each of the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B and at least one portion of speech parameters. That is, the robot  100 A fixes a speech condition (a second speech condition) including an output start timing (a second output start timing) for the robot  100 A and a speech condition (a first speech condition) including an output start timing (a first output start timing) for the robot  100 B. The instruction receiving unit  132 A of the robot  100 A transmits the first speech condition toward the robot  100 B. 
     The instruction receiving unit  132 B of the robot  100 B receives the first speech condition from the robot  100 A, and a standard speech fixing unit  1362 B of the robot  100 B recognizes the at least one portion of speech parameters included in the received first speech condition. Also, a synchronicity control unit  1365 B of the robot  100 B recognizes the first output start timing included in the received first speech condition. The standard speech fixing unit  1362 B and the synchronicity control unit  1365 B correspond to a speech generation condition recognizing unit. 
     A speech adjusting unit  1364 A of the robot  100 A generates speech that coincides with the at least one portion of speech parameters included in the second speech condition fixed by the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A. A speech adjusting unit  1364 B of the robot  100 B generates speech that coincides with a set of the at least one portion of speech parameters included in the first speech condition recognized by the standard speech fixing unit  1362 B. 
     A synchronicity control unit  1365 A of the robot  100 A outputs speech generated by the speech adjusting unit  1364 A to the speaker  112 A in accordance with the second output start timing included in the second speech condition fixed by the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A. The synchronicity control unit  1365 B of the robot  100 B outputs speech generated by the speech adjusting unit  1364 A to the speaker  112 B in accordance with the first output start timing included in the first speech condition. 
     The one portion of speech parameters included in the speech condition fixed by the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A is a tempo expressed by BPM, a rhythm, a pitch, a length of speech contents (for example, a number of syllables), a tone, a volume, or a temporal change pattern of at least one kind of element among these elements. In the same way as in the heretofore described embodiment, each of the speech adjusting units  1364 A and  1364 B converts spectral characteristics and rhythmic characteristics of standard speech in accordance with individuality formed using the individuality forming unit  135 , thereby adjusting standard speech fixed by the standard speech fixing units  1362 A and  1362 B in accordance with individuality parameters formed by the individuality forming units  135 A and  135 B, and carrying out a voice quality conversion such that non-linguistic information such as voice quality or rhythm is adjusted without causing linguistic (phonemic) information included in the standard speech to change. At this time, the speech adjusting units  1364 A and  1364 B adjust a speech parameter (for example, a tempo, a rhythm, a pitch, a number of syllables, a tone, a volume, or a temporal change pattern thereof) specified in a speech condition in accordance with the speech condition, and adjust other speech parameters in accordance with individuality parameters. 
     Specifically, the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A can, for example, fix the output start timing of each of the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B in such a way that speech is output at the same timing by the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B. By so doing, the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B can be caused to emit speech at the same timing. 
     Alternatively, the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A may fix the respective output start timings (the first output start timing and the second output start timing) of the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B in such a way that the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B output speech at timings that deviate by a predetermined time. For example, the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A may fix the speech output start timing of each robot in such a way that when the speech output of one robot finishes, the other robot outputs speech. 
     Specifically, the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A can, for example, fix a pitch (a second pitch) as one portion of speech parameters of the robot  100 A and a pitch (a first pitch) as one portion of speech parameters of the robot  100 B in such a way that speech of the same pitch is output by the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B. Alternatively, the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A may fix the first pitch and the second pitch in such a way that the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B output speech of differing pitches. In this case, the first pitch and the second pitch may have a predetermined relationship. 
     For example, the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A may fix the speech parameters in such a way that a ratio between the second pitch (frequency) and the first pitch (frequency) is included in a predetermined range. For example, the second pitch and the first pitch may have a relationship such that an interval (a pitch ratio) is a consonant interval. By two items of speech with consonant intervals being output at the same timing, harmony can be created. The consonant interval may be an imperfect consonant interval, a perfect consonant interval, or an absolute consonant interval. Also, when wishing to express immaturity of the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B, the interval may be a dissonant interval. 
     For example, the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A may fix the speech parameters in such a way that the second pitch (frequency) is higher or lower than the first pitch (frequency) by a predetermined interval (for example, three degrees) or a predetermined frequency. 
     Also, the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B may individually fix pitch and generate speech, without pitch being specified by a speech parameter. In this case, for example, the following kind of process may be carried out. For example, it is assumed that identical tempos have been specified by speech parameters. Before outputting speech, the robot  100 A generates speech in such a way as to coincide with the specified tempo. The robot  100 A transmits a temporal change of the pitch at which speech is to be output to the robot  100 B via communication. The robot  100 B may generate speech to be output by the robot  100 B in such a way that a ratio (interval) of a pitch to be output at the same timing with respect to the pitch of the speech generated by the robot  100 A is included in a predetermined range, and in such away as to coincide with the specified tempo. In this case, based on the temporal change of the pitch of the speech generated by the robot  100 A, the robot  100 B may generate a list of pitches to be output at the relevant timings in such a way that the ratio between pitches output at the same timing is included within a predetermined range, and select the pitch to be output at the relevant timing from the list. 
     Also, the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B may each independently generate speech in such a way as to coincide with a speech parameter, share the generated items of speech via communication before outputting the speech, fix with regard to a temporal change of the items of speech whether or not the ratio between pitches of the items of speech is included in a predetermined range at each timing, and when the ratio between pitches is not included in the predetermined range, correct one pitch in such a way as to become a predetermined interval (for example, one octave) or a predetermined frequency higher or lower, in order that the ratio between pitches is included in the predetermined range. The same kind of process may be carried out with the condition that the ratio between pitches is included in the predetermined range replaced with a condition that a frequency difference is included in a predetermined range. The predetermined range may be, for example, a range specified by both a lower limit value and an upper limit value, a range specified by a lower limit value or an upper limit value only, a continuous range, or an intermittent range. 
     Also, when one portion of speech parameters fixed by the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A of the robot  100 A is a number of syllables, the number of syllables of the robot  100 A and the number of syllables of the robot  100 B may be the same. Also, when one portion of speech parameters is a number of syllables, speech contents may be fixed at random in accordance with the number of syllables. 
     The standard speech fixing unit  1362 A fixes at least contents of speech to be emitted by the robot  100 A. The standard speech fixing unit  1362 A may also fix contents of speech to be emitted by the robot  100 B as one portion of speech parameters. In this case, the speech contents of the robot  100 A and the speech contents of the robot  100 B may be the same. In this case, the robot  100 A may fix the speech contents at random. Also, when the robot  100 B fixes the speech contents, the robot  100 B may also fix the speech contents at random. 
     Also, by the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B outputting speech at timings that deviate from each other, and arranging that contents of the speech are specific contents, the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B may carry out a predetermined operation by planning the timing. For example, the robot  100 A and the robot  100 B may cause a call of rock, paper, scissors to be completed by speech conditions being fixed in such a way that the robot  100 A outputs speech saying “rock, paper”, and the robot  100 B outputs speech saying “scissors” at a timing at which the speech output has ended. 
     When contents of speech of the robot  100 B are not fixed using the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A, the standard speech fixing unit  1362 B of the robot  100 B fixes contents of speech by itself. In this case, when a number of syllables is included as one portion of speech parameters, the standard speech fixing unit  1362 B may fix speech contents that coincide with the number of syllables in accordance with previously collected speech (for example, user speech). That is, in order to recreate speech contents often used by a user, or one portion thereof, the speech contents may be contents learned from speech collected by a microphone. Also, speech contents may be fixed by the standard speech fixing unit  1362 A or the standard speech fixing unit  1362 B in such away as to recreate speech contents, or one portion thereof, collected when user speech satisfies a predetermined condition (like a case wherein the probability that the user is singing is high, such as when pitch is included in a predetermined range). 
     Recreation of speech contents not being the only object, the individuality forming unit  135  may form individuality based on a pitch or an interval of collected user speech in such away as to recreate the pitch or the interval, and carry out a generation or a correction of speech in accordance with the individuality. 
     In the above description, speech conditions are fixed by the robot  100 A, and the robot  100 B generates and outputs speech in accordance with the speech conditions fixed by the robot  100 A, but the robot  100 B can also fix speech conditions, in which case the robot  100 A generates and outputs speech in accordance with the speech conditions fixed by the robot  100 B. 
     The heretofore described example is such that when there are a multiple of robots, one of the robots fixes speech conditions, and transfers the speech conditions to another robot, but instead of this, speech conditions of each robot may be fixed by a control device with which the multiple of robots can communicate, and transmitted to the relevant robot. In this case, the control device may fix and transmit common speech conditions for the multiple of robots, or may fix different speech conditions for each robot, and transmit the speech conditions individually. 
     Individuality Setting by User 
     As heretofore described, the individuality forming unit  135  may form (set) individuality of speech based on an instruction from the instruction receiving unit  132 , and hereafter, an example wherein the individuality forming unit  135  sets an individuality parameter based on a user instruction will be described. In this case, an information terminal (for example, a smartphone or a personal computer) in which a control application is installed may be used as a device that issues an instruction to the instruction receiving unit  132 . The information terminal receives an instruction with the control application as a user interface, and transfers the received instruction to the robot  100  as necessary via a network or a relay server. The instruction receiving unit  132  of the robot  100  can receive an instruction transmitted in this way. 
       FIG. 11  and  FIGS. 12A to 12D  are examples of a control application screen (hereafter called an “application screen”) relating to a speech setting displayed in a terminal device  204  of this embodiment. A configuration of an application image shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIGS. 12A to 12D , and a speech setting method in which an application screen is used, are examples, and are not limiting. 
       FIG. 11  is a drawing showing an example of a screen showing a state of a robot in a robot control application. The control application is such that a state of a robot A or a robot B can be indicated by selecting a tag. Various kinds of state of the robot  100  selected using the tag are indicated by icons. A robot voice is included in a state of the robot  100  indicated by an application screen  280 . Icon  291  indicates a state of the voice of the robot  100 , and in the example of  FIG. 11 , it is shown that a “gentle voice” has been selected as the voice of the robot  100 . A voice setting can be carried out by a user pressing the icon  291 . 
       FIG. 12A  is an example of an application screen when carrying out a speech setting. When a user presses a button  281 , on which “Select voice” is written, individuality parameters for generating multiple kinds (four kinds in this embodiment) of individual speech at random are automatically generated. The generated individuality parameters are all individuality parameters that do not duplicate an individuality parameter currently set for another robot  100 . When the button  281  is pressed by a user, and multiple kinds (four kinds in this embodiment) of speech are generated, an application screen  280 A changes to an application screen  280 B shown in  FIG. 12B . The individuality parameters will be described hereafter. 
     Also, when a user presses a button  282 , on which “Current voice” is written, displayed on the application screen  280 A, the user can confirm speech generated based on an individuality parameter currently set for the robot  100 . The speech for confirmation is output from the speaker  112  of the robot  100 , which is an output device that can be perceived by the user. 
     Speech selection buttons  283 A to  283 D, with which a user can select one of the multiple of individuality parameters generated, are displayed on the application screen  280 B shown in  FIG. 12B . When one of the speech selection buttons  283 A to  283 D is selected by being pressed by a user, corresponding speech is output. Because of this, the user can confirm what speech he or she prefers. When a button  284 , on which “Enter” is written, is pressed by a user in a state wherein one of the speech selection buttons  283 A to  283 D has been selected, the individuality parameter selected by the user is set for the robot. 
     A button for regenerating individuality parameters (hereafter called a “Regeneration button”) may be displayed on the application screen  280 B. A case in which a user presses the regeneration button is a case wherein an individuality parameter that generates speech preferred by the user has not been generated. When the regeneration button is pressed by a user, an individuality parameter generation is newly carried out, and the new individuality parameters generated are correlated to the speech selection buttons  283 A to  283 D. 
     A multiple of vertical bar objects that carry out movement reflecting an element of a sound that is an individuality parameter of each are aligned on the speech selection buttons  283 A to  283 D. Lengths of the vertical bar objects are dynamically caused to change continuously. A change in the length of a vertical bar object has continuity with a change in the length of a neighboring vertical bar object (the same kind of change with a time difference, or the like), because of which a sound-like (waveform) effect can be expressed by the multiple of aligned vertical bar objects. 
     A speed at which a wave of each vertical bar object passes, that is, a time until one change is reflected in a neighboring vertical bar object, represents a speed of speech. Also, a basic length of a vertical bar object, that is, the length of the vertical bar object when not changed, represents a pitch of speech. Also, fluctuation in a wave of a vertical bar object, that is, an amount of change in the vertical bar object, represents a pitch width of speech. Also, a color of a vertical bar object represents brightness of speech. Also, attenuation and bounce of a vertical bar object represent a lip reflection of speech. That is, an amount of attenuation of an amount of change in a vertical bar object is such that when attenuation is large, the display is such that after a wave occurs, the time elapsing until the wave dies down is short, and when attenuation is small, the display is such that after a wave occurs, the time elapsing until the wave dies down is long. Also, a line thickness of a vertical bar object represents a vocal tract length. 
       FIG. 12C  is an application screen  280 C, which is displayed when a history button  285  of the application screen  280 A is pressed. Speech selection buttons  286  for selecting a multiple of individuality parameters previously set by a user are displayed together on the application screen  280 C. That is, a history of individuality parameters previously set by the user is stored in an information terminal in which a control application is installed. As an example, a maximum number of previous individuality parameters that can be selected is fixed in advance. This kind of individuality parameter history may also be saved in the cloud. 
     A date on which the individuality parameter has been set for the robot  100  is written on the speech selection button  286 . Because of this, a user can recognize differences in items of speech corresponding to the speech selection buttons  286 . Also, by a user carrying out a scrolling operation on a screen of the information terminal, the speech selection button  286  corresponding to a previously set individuality parameter but not already displayed is displayed. Further, when a user presses a button  287  on which “Enter” is written, the individuality parameter corresponding to the speech selection button  286  selected by the user is set for the robot  100 . 
     Also, it is determined whether or not an individuality parameter selected by a user via the application screen  280 C is speech characteristic data that are not currently set for another robot in a robot group in which the robot  100  is included. That is, an individuality parameter that is a stored individuality parameter but is currently set by another robot cannot be set for the robot  100 . 
       FIG. 12D  is an application screen  280 D that is displayed on an information terminal when a user customizes speech to be output from a robot. Individuality parameters for generating speech (a combination of values of a multiple of parameters) are displayed in such a way as to be selectable by a user on the application screen  280 D. As an example, a user selects a value of a parameter by moving slider bars  288 A to  288 F corresponding one each to a parameter to the left or the right. That is, rather than speech to be set for the robot  100  being automatically generated, a user generates speech manually in accordance with his or her preference. 
     In the example of  FIG. 12D , speed, pitch, pitch width, brightness, lip vibration, and vocal cord length are set as parameters selectable by a user. These multiple parameters are treated as one parameter set, and a parameter set of speech that is not currently set for another robot can be set as speech of the robot  100 . The parameter set is the same as parameters among individuality parameters generated by a user pressing the button  281  of the application screen  280 A. 
     Speed is a speaking speed per unit of sound. In language, a unit of sound is a syllable. The greater the value, the faster the speaking speed becomes. Pitch is an average pitch height. The greater the value, the higher the pitch becomes. Pitch width is a width of pitch over which sound can be enunciated. The greater the value, the greater the width of pitch becomes. Brightness is a parameter indicating brightness of a voice (sound). The brightness of a sound is changed by changing one portion (for example, an overtone component) of frequency components of an enunciated sound. The greater the value, the more easily an impression that a voice (sound) is bright is conveyed. Lip vibration is an extent of lip vibration in an enunciation structure that resembles a human vocalization structure (mouth). The greater the value, the greater a sound reflection rate in the human vocalization structure. Interval length is a parameter indicating a vocal cord length in an enunciation structure that resembles a human vocalization structure (mouth). The greater the value, the further low frequency components of a sound increase, and the voice becomes adult-like. 
     Also, when a user presses a button  289  on which “Listen to robot” is written, speech generated by selected individuality parameters (a parameter set) is output from the speaker  112  included in the robot  100 . Further, when an operation of depressing the enter button  290  is detected, the selected parameter set is set for the relevant robot  100 . An individuality parameter generated manually is also assumed to be speech that does not duplicate an individuality parameter currently set for another robot  100 . Specifically, an information terminal transmits individuality parameters (a parameter set) selected by a user to a server that manages a speech setting, and the server determines whether or not the individuality parameters duplicate individuality parameters set for another robot  100 , and transmits a determination result to the information terminal. Further, in a state wherein individuality parameters (a parameter set) that duplicate those of another robot  100  have been selected, the information terminal deactivates the enter button  290 , in addition to which a display to the effect that the individuality parameters are being used in another robot is output to a touch panel display  210 . In this case, the server or the information terminal generates individuality parameters that are similar to the individuality parameters selected by the user, and a button for causing the generated individuality parameters to be reproduced may be displayed on the touch panel display. 
     Also, a configuration may be such that speech customization using the application screen  280 D can be carried out by a user who satisfies a predetermined condition. A predetermined condition is, for example, a user whose period of use of the robot  100  exceeds a predetermined period set in advance, a user who gains a predetermined number of points, or a user who is charged a predetermined amount of money. 
     At least one embodiment is such that individual speech is output from a robot, because of which the embodiment has an advantage in that a user can easily feel that the robot is a living being, and is useful as a robot that outputs speech.