LinkNotes: expressions

2010-01-01

Moving pictures are more suitable to interpret facial expressions

A Facial Expression Is Worth a Thousand Words
[...] Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany, found out that we are able to recognize facial expressions in motion -- for example, in a movie -- far better than in a static photograph. The video sequence needs to be at least as long as one tenth of a second to gain this dynamic advantage.

Interpreting this facial expression correctly (as a "baffled" expression) is very difficult based on this photo alone. When showing the corresponding video sequence, however, recognition becomes easy, which underlines the importance of the temporal dimension for effective communication. (Credit: Christian Wallraven / Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics)

clipped from www.alphagalileo.org

clipped from www.kyb.mpg.de

This database ontains videos of facial action units taken from 6 different
camera views from one actor. Facial action units are basic muscle movements that have been proposed to underlie the production of facial expressions.

Face Video Database itself

clipped from vdb.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de

clipped from www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de

Kleiner, M., C. Wallraven and H.H. Bülthoff: The MPI VideoLab - A system for high quality synchronous recording of video and audio from multiple viewpoints. (123) (May 2004)

Sources:

2009-02-27

Einstein Robot

Clipped from: YouTube - Einstein Robot - UCSD Machine Perception Laboratory

Einstein Robot - UCSD Machine Perception Laboratory

Scientists at UC San Diego's California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) have equipped a robot modeled after the famed theoretical physicist with specialized software that allows it to interact with humans in a relatively natural, conversational way. The so-called "Einstein Robot," which was designed by Hanson Robotics of Dallas, Texas, recognizes a number of human facial expressions and can respond accordingly, making it an unparalleled tool for understanding how both robots and humans perceive emotion, as well as a potential platform for teaching, entertainment, fine arts and even cognitive therapy.

Clipped from: Introducing the scarily realistic Einstein robot who can tell how you feel | Mail Online

Introducing the scarily realistic Einstein robot who can tell how you feel

With a big bushy moustache and a shock of white hair, scientists have modeled an ultra realistic robot on Albert Einstein. [...] Using specialised software the machine can recognise and respond to a number of human facial expressions in a natural way.

Clipped from: Calit2 : It's All Relative: UC San Diego's Einstein Robot Has 'Emotional Intelligence'

"In the short-term, Einstein is being used to develop computer vision so we can see how computers perceive facial expressions and develop hardware to visually react," says Javier Movellan, a research scientist in the Calit2-based UCSD Machine Perception Laboratory (MPL). "This robot is a scientific instrument that we hope will tell us something about human-robot interaction, but also human-to-human interaction.

"When a robot interacts in a way we feel is human, we can't help but react. Developing a robot like this one teaches us how sensitive we are to biological movement and facial expressions, and when we get it right, it's really astonishing."

[...]

Another important part of the robot's inner workings is its Character Engine Artificial Intelligence Control Software, which allows the programmer to author and define the persona of the character so it can hold a conversation.

"Einstein has pretty broad conversational abilities, although not like a human," Hanson notes. "In the demo mode, he might say something like, 'I'm an advanced perceptual robot bringing together many technologies into a whole that's greater than the sum of my parts, but here's what some of my parts can do. I can see your facial expressions and mimic them. I can see your age and gender. So why don't we demo some of these technologies?'"

Clipped from: Einstein Returns As A Robot

MyFoxTampaBay.com logo_20090128120301669_PNG

Einstein Returns As A Robot

The robot can recognize and mimic 5,000 facial expressions and is powered by 31 motors and innovative new technology. The Einstein robot could be the next big thing in the world of engineering.

Javier Movellan, a professor at the college, says: "The best expressions that it can recognize right now are expressions of sadness and happiness."

Movellan adds, "You know that children with autism have problems recognizing facial expressions and producing facial expressions in social communication. So we're trying to see whether this robot will actually be useful and helpful to teach children with autism how to communicate with human beings."

Scientists hope to use the technology to improve the way computers relate to people.

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