Pelachaud said this could be useful in applications where a person is seeking information from the agent. If the agent gets it wrong and detects the person becoming upset, it could show empathy through nonverbal signs, and this could help reduce the frustration the person feels, Pelachaud said. "Having an agent that shows empathy can enhance the relationship between a user an agent," she said. "The user may still not get the information, but at least they won't feel so negative from the the interaction." Pelachaud and colleagues are also researching the use of agents in interactive television and storytelling as part of the CALLAS project. One prototype demonstrates emotional interaction between the audience and an agent, who acts as a virtual audience member, which is able to relate to the human audience via Web cam and microphone. "The agent, through its participation of watching the movie and its display of emotion could enhance the emotional experience of the audience," said Pelachaud. Both human and virtual audience members react to a virtual scenario in which a second agent involved. In the scenario, the second agent is walking around in a kitchen, in which normally inanimate objects do randomly frightening things. For example, a knife might suddenly fly through the air towards them, or the stove might suddenly catch alight. The human and virtual audience react with fear as these things occur, and the agent in the scene responds to their fear. The research is funded by the French government and European Union. Related Links: |
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