2,304 research outputs found
Towards a more natural and intelligent interface with embodied conversation agent
Conversational agent also known as chatterbots are computer programs which are designed to converse like a human as much as their intelligent allows. In many ways, they are the embodiment of Turing's vision. The ability for computers to converse with human users using natural language would arguably increase their usefulness. Recent advances in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in general have advances this field in realizing the vision of a more humanoid interactive system. This paper presents and discusses the use of embodied conversation agent (ECA) for the imitation games. This paper also presents the technical design of our ECA and its performance. In the interactive media industry, it can also been observed that the ECA are getting popular
A first approach to understanding and measuring naturalness in driver-car interaction
With technology changing the nature of the driving task, qualitative methods can help designers understand and measure driver-car interaction naturalness. Fifteen drivers were interviewed at length in their own parked cars using ethnographically-inspired questions probing issues of interaction salience, expectation, feelings, desires and meanings. Thematic analysis and content analysis found five distinct components relating to 'rich physical' aspects of natural feeling interaction typified by richer physical, analogue, tactile styles of interaction and control. Further components relate to humanlike, intelligent, assistive, socially-aware 'perceived behaviours' of the car. The advantages and challenges of a naturalness-based approach are discussed and ten cognitive component constructs of driver-car naturalness are proposed. These may eventually be applied as a checklist in automotive interaction design.This research was fully funded by a research grant from Jaguar Land Rover, and partially funded by project
n.220050/F11 granted by Research Council of Norway
Extending Interactive Science Exhibits into the Classroom using Anthropomorphized Chatbots and Bloom's Taxonomy
This study explores the use of Generative AI chatbots for transforming public
science exhibits into virtual experiences that can extend the engagement of
exhibits into the classroom. The broader goal is to increase accessibility of
science exhibits, especially for those marginalized in STEM due to various
factors, including cultural barriers. We hypothesize that turning exhibits into
first-person anthropomorphized chatbots with a personality, like quirky-talking
asteroids or comets, can increase engagement and learning. The paper mainly
explores if such techniques are possible using Generative AI (e.g. GPT) via
prompt engineering alone. The research includes an investigation into the
possibility of integrating interactive assessment via question-generation using
Bloom's Taxonomy. Initial results indicate that it is possible to combine these
techniques. As such, it lays a foundation for future classroom evaluations of
such chatbots to gauge their overall efficacy in extending the reach of science
exhibitions. The paper concludes by discussing extensions of the research to
fully evaluate effectiveness in virtual field-trips. We also include a brief
examination of additional ways to enhance student motivation towards learning
via chatbots
Perceptual Continuity and Naturalness of Expressive Strength in Singing Voices Based on Speech Morphing
This paper experimentally shows the importance of perceptual continuity of the expressive strength in vocal timbre for natural change in vocal expression. In order to synthesize various and continuous expressive strengths with vocal timbre, we investigated gradually changing expressions by applying the STRAIGHT speech morphing algorithm to singing voices. Here, a singing voice without expression is used as the base of morphing, and singing voices with three different expressions are used as the target. Through statistical analyses of perceptual evaluations, we confirmed that the proposed morphing algorithm provides perceptual continuity of vocal timbre. Our results showed the following: (i) gradual strengths in absolute evaluations, and (ii) a perceptually linear strength provided by the calculation of corrected intervals of the morph ratio by the inverse (reciprocal) function of an equation that approximates the perceptual strength. Finally, we concluded that applying continuity was highly effective for achieving perceptual naturalness, judging from the results showing that (iii) our gradual transformation method can perform well for perceived naturalness
PRISE: An Integrated Platform for Research and Teaching of Critical Embedded Systems
In this paper, we present PRISE, an integrated workbench for Research and Teaching of critical embedded systems at ISAE, the French Institute for Space and Aeronautics Engineering. PRISE is built around state-of-the-art technologies for the engineering of space and avionics systems used in Space and Avionics domain. It aims at demonstrating key aspects of critical, real-time, embedded systems used in the transport industry, but also validating new scientific contributions for the engineering of software functions. PRISE combines embedded and simulation platforms, and modeling tools. This platform is available for both research and teaching. Being built around widely used commercial and open source software; PRISE aims at being a reference platform for our teaching and research activities at ISAE
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