Virtual Humans Part of the Future?

German researchers are building on the idea of creating virtual humans and using them to replace ticket sellers and even teachers for taking e-learning courses. Such virtual humans would interact with people through speech and gestures.

Several research institutions, including the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics (IGD), are working on this concept.

“The idea behind the virtual character is to design the human-computer interface as naturally as possible,” explains Christian Knöpfle, head of Virtual Reality at the IGD.

Enormous requirements are placed on virtual humans. Besides being expected to interact socially, communicate verbally and non-verbally (through speech, gestures and facial expressions), they are supposed to have a human-like, pleasant appearance and be credible in dialogue with the user. Researchers are developing numerous modules towards generating dialog, understanding speech and for graphics output, and allowing them to interface through a Web-based approach.

The Fraunhofer researchers have even taken serious steps to make the hairstyles of the two virtual humans realistic.

Virtual humans involve the application of completely new quality of interactive systems. Dialogue with the computer takes place in an intuitive way, using natural language and gestures instead of the usual menus and input forms. They adapt the role of a person capable of giving intelligent and goal-oriented assistance and guidance through a working routine. Different roles are taken up by the virtual characters, depending on the particular applications that occur in teamwork or in natural discussion situations.

Virtual humans could provide tutor support for students in e-learning courses by answering questions and offering help with problems. This would make the learning process with computers more enjoyable for students. Human-like characters are also ideal for dealing with issues that require training on social skills. For example, a railway official can practice dealing with difficult customers with the help of the virtual humans.

How soon the present stubborn machines will be replaced by these friendly characters is a possible question, the answer to which Fraunhofer IGD has not given, despite having demonstrated some prototypes in trade shows.

Source: Emerging Technology Trends