Tolkus: an Intelligent Assistant by RapidLab

Imagine the interior of a new boutique. A customer, browsing the collection, notices a colorful peacock standing quietly by the counter and, out of curiosity, tosses a question its way: “Hey, what goes best with the navy jeans from the latest collection?” The peacock instantly comes to life and replies in a playful voice: “Our red flannel shirt! Light, effortless, with a touch of wildness – perfect for a date or a casual Friday at the office. Add a gray sweater for cooler evenings, now on sale!” The customer freezes in amazement, bursts into laughter, asks about sizes, buys the entire set, and immediately records a video for Instagram, tagging the brand.

The result? Wow – sales of accessories and bundles jumped by 25% within a week, reviews exploded, and the boutique became a viral sensation, attracting crowds of curious customers with phones in their hands.

Is such a scenario possible?

What is Tolkus?

RapidLab, the innovation lab of Apollogic, designed interactive animals that leverage the potential of AI and IoT. Driven by a passion for ambitious challenges, we undertook the development of a custom prototype combining 3D printing, speech recognition, generative AI, and IoT technologies. The result was the creation of the first intelligent parrot in just six weeks. The goal was to faithfully translate the client’s vision into a working solution, and the team’s extensive experience in AI and IoT enabled an efficient and smooth design process without losing the element of creative satisfaction. The project included both the design of a durable 3D-printed enclosure and the integration of hardware components, voice activation systems, speech synthesis, and external services.

The outcome is the comprehensive Tolkus solution, which innovatively combines advanced technologies to deliver a real competitive advantage in sectors such as retail and hospitality.

The Parrot Project at Locoloro

For the Locoloro restaurant in Gliwice, RapidLab engineers created a prototype of an interactive parrot that, using AI and IoT, talks with guests about the menu and the venue’s offerings. The parrot is not just a technological curiosity – it greets customers right at the entrance, invites them to discover new flavors, and serves as the restaurant’s distinctive mascot. It builds the first impression, introduces the atmosphere of the place, and gives it a unique, memorable character.

Conversations with the parrot not only make it easier to explore the menu but also enrich the guest experience with additional value. The interactive mascot talks about ingredients, shares interesting facts – for example about the origin and properties of cocoa — and engagingly introduces the culture and atmosphere of Ecuador, which inspires the restaurant. In this way, technology becomes part of the brand’s storytelling, and a visit to Locoloro turns into an experience that combines taste, education, and entertainment.

The device, based on Raspberry Pi, recognizes a wake-up word using Edge AI, integrates with the ElevenLabs API to generate speech with a natural, human-like voice, and connects via Wi-Fi. The 3D-printed enclosure is resistant to outdoor conditions, making it ideal for installation in restaurant garden areas.

Koala as a Brand Mascot

In the case of a botanical garden, the koala was designed as an interactive brand ambassador and a guide to the world of nature. It greets visitors at the entrance or in selected themed zones, encouraging them to explore different parts of the garden. From the very first interaction, it builds positive emotions – especially among younger guests – becoming a recognizable symbol of the place and its “living” showcase.

The koala not only answers questions about plants, tour routes, or show schedules, but also shares fascinating nature facts. It can explain where exotic species come from, how to care for the environment, or why biodiversity protection matters. In an engaging and accessible way, it educates visitors while also guiding tourist flow and promoting selected events, workshops, or the gift shop.

Apollogic RapidLab specialists design solutions of this kind in just six weeks, integrating hardware, software, and generative AI into a comprehensive system that connects the world of nature with intelligent technology.

Benefits

The wow effect created by AI and IoT increases customer satisfaction through personalized interactions, leading to higher sales and more positive reviews. Our clients gain a marketing tool that engages guests and strengthens their brand. Increased customer retention and viral impact on social media are direct outcomes of such implementations.