In the Human to Robots Lab, led by Stephanie Tellex, the researchers created an algorithm that let Iorek receive speech commands and process information from human gestures. This is how humans communicate, if we want something we point to it. As with most learning situations, Iorek experienced some problems. If there were similiar items next to each other, it was hard for Iorek to tell which exact object the human was asking for. According to Tellex, in ambiguous situations like these, they want Iorek to ask a question which shows it's confused versus just picking up the wrong object.

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. Iorek is learning to communicate and ask a question which helps it clarify what a person wants. Scientists say human language developed around 50,000 years ago.