Untitled Document
Not a member yet? Register for full benefits!

Username
Password
 Imitation makes digital characters more lifelike

This story is from the category Display Technology
Printer Friendly Version
Email to a Friend (currently Down)

 

 

Date posted: 11/06/2005

Talking to a cat can be a bit of a let-down, even if it's a computerised one. For a start, most of them don't talk like cats, or even much like people. The same thing happens when you try to interact with Bugs Bunny or your favourite Mr and Mrs Whiplash. What you need is a cat you can relate to.

Jeremy Bailenson and Nick Yee of Stanford University in California have found that viewers are more strongly influenced by avatars that mimic their own body movements. They asked 70 students to don a virtual reality headset to watch an avatar deliver a 3-minute argument about the benefits of a university ID card. The students paid more attention to avatars that copied their own head movements compared with avatars making pre-programmed movements, and found them significantly more likeable and convincing.

Using webcams and camera phones to record their owners' movements would facilitate the spread of such intelligent and persuasive avatars, say the researchers, whose findings are likely to be quickly embraced by online advertisers.

See the full Story via external site: www.newscientist.com



Most recent stories in this category (Display Technology):

08/02/2017: New method improves accuracy of imaging systems

04/02/2017: New technology to watch the sea waves in 3D

11/01/2017: Telepresence used for Criminal Court Proceedings

16/09/2014: ‘Squid skin’ metamaterials project yields vivid color display

10/09/2014: 2D or 3D? New study shows no difference in emotional reactions between film formats

28/08/2014: Razor-sharp TV pictures

07/06/2014: Shatterproof screens that save smartphones

27/05/2014: New 'T-ray' tech converts light to sound for weapons detection, medical imaging