Menu
24/03/2004
Project aims to make computers 'emotional'
A Europe-wide project to enable computers to think, behave and respond to the users' moods has got under way.
The 10-million-euro, four-year project is being coordinated from the School of Psychology at Queen's University Belfast, and will build upon ground-breaking work already carried out there to create "multi-modal interfaces" which allow machines to sense and respond to the moods of the user.
The "HUMAINE" project pulls together leaders in the area from 27 institutions across Europe, and will involve about 160 researchers. Funding is being provided on a 50-50 basis by the European Commission and the partners. Researchers from Queen's developed the proposal, negotiated the contract with the EC, and are now leading the project.
Project coordinator Professor Roddy Cowie said: "Computers that respond to human emotion may sound like science fiction, but they are bound to come.
"At the moment, our use of computers is limited by the fact that we need a keyboard and a screen to access them. It would make an enormous difference if we could interact with them by speaking normally - perhaps though a microphone and a transmitter in a 'Star Trek' badge. But emotion is part of normal speech, and experience has shown that most users are deeply uncomfortable with speech interfaces that ignore it - too uncomfortable to use them very much.
"If we can make computers more intuitive and expressive, and also less challenging to use, there is enormous potential to let people make fuller use of information technology."
The project is part of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme to enable European science and technology to challenge world leaders in key areas. "Networks of excellence" bring together most of Europe's top expertise on a topic of particular importance, and weld them into a world-class research community. Contracts for the first networks of excellence, including HUMAINE, were signed in December.
The first plenary meeting of HUMAINE took place this month at the German national institute for research into artificial intelligence in Saarbrucken. Over 80 network members attended, along with representatives from other European projects dealing with related topics.
(MB)
The 10-million-euro, four-year project is being coordinated from the School of Psychology at Queen's University Belfast, and will build upon ground-breaking work already carried out there to create "multi-modal interfaces" which allow machines to sense and respond to the moods of the user.
The "HUMAINE" project pulls together leaders in the area from 27 institutions across Europe, and will involve about 160 researchers. Funding is being provided on a 50-50 basis by the European Commission and the partners. Researchers from Queen's developed the proposal, negotiated the contract with the EC, and are now leading the project.
Project coordinator Professor Roddy Cowie said: "Computers that respond to human emotion may sound like science fiction, but they are bound to come.
"At the moment, our use of computers is limited by the fact that we need a keyboard and a screen to access them. It would make an enormous difference if we could interact with them by speaking normally - perhaps though a microphone and a transmitter in a 'Star Trek' badge. But emotion is part of normal speech, and experience has shown that most users are deeply uncomfortable with speech interfaces that ignore it - too uncomfortable to use them very much.
"If we can make computers more intuitive and expressive, and also less challenging to use, there is enormous potential to let people make fuller use of information technology."
The project is part of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme to enable European science and technology to challenge world leaders in key areas. "Networks of excellence" bring together most of Europe's top expertise on a topic of particular importance, and weld them into a world-class research community. Contracts for the first networks of excellence, including HUMAINE, were signed in December.
The first plenary meeting of HUMAINE took place this month at the German national institute for research into artificial intelligence in Saarbrucken. Over 80 network members attended, along with representatives from other European projects dealing with related topics.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 January 2012
Recognition For First APM Register Project Professionals
The Association for Project Management (APM) has recognised the first Northern Ireland recipients of its new APM Registered Project Professional (RPP) designation.
Recognition For First APM Register Project Professionals
The Association for Project Management (APM) has recognised the first Northern Ireland recipients of its new APM Registered Project Professional (RPP) designation.
19 November 2024
BCC Launches Public Consultation On £100m Belfast Stories Project
Belfast City Council has today launched a public consultation on the ambitious £100 million Belfast Stories project. The initiative aims to transform the former Bank of Ireland building and surrounding site into a major public space, visitor attraction, and creative hub.
BCC Launches Public Consultation On £100m Belfast Stories Project
Belfast City Council has today launched a public consultation on the ambitious £100 million Belfast Stories project. The initiative aims to transform the former Bank of Ireland building and surrounding site into a major public space, visitor attraction, and creative hub.
19 August 2003
Minister unveils £1.6m bus system
NIO Minister John Spellar has unveiled a £1.6 million system which will supply passengers real-time information on bus arrivals. BUS TRAK is a hi-tech project jointly funded by Roads Service and Translink, now operating on the Centrelink and City Express bus routes in Belfast.
Minister unveils £1.6m bus system
NIO Minister John Spellar has unveiled a £1.6 million system which will supply passengers real-time information on bus arrivals. BUS TRAK is a hi-tech project jointly funded by Roads Service and Translink, now operating on the Centrelink and City Express bus routes in Belfast.
05 November 2014
QUB Researchers Undertake £2.2m Prostate Cancer Project
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Leeds have been granted £2.2m to lead research into prostate cancer. Undertaken in collaboration with the Movember Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK, the funding has been announced as millions of people across the world begin growing moustaches as part of the annual Movember campaign.
QUB Researchers Undertake £2.2m Prostate Cancer Project
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Leeds have been granted £2.2m to lead research into prostate cancer. Undertaken in collaboration with the Movember Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK, the funding has been announced as millions of people across the world begin growing moustaches as part of the annual Movember campaign.
12 October 2005
NI researchers lead major safe food project
A multi-million pound research project on the topic of chemical food safety will be launched today by the European Commission in London and headed by Queen's University.
NI researchers lead major safe food project
A multi-million pound research project on the topic of chemical food safety will be launched today by the European Commission in London and headed by Queen's University.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
