Interesting article: "Moving closer to a 'Matrix'-style virtual world"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24394425/
The concept: A Matrix-like virtual world, indistinguishable from reality, is just a few years away.
The MSNBC article discusses graphics advances that will fool your eyes, and also touches on how software that models nonverbal interactions (eg body language) will create realistic interfaces. That's being worked on actively, too: "The aim of the SEMAINE project is to build a Sensitive Artificial Listener – a multimodal dialogue system with the social interaction skills needed for a sustained conversation with a human user. The system will emphasise “soft” communication skills, i.e. non-verbal, social and emotional perception, interaction and behaviour capabilities. " http://www.semaine-project.eu/
Here's the best part--- a primitive early version is up and running now. You can download and play with your own free, Java-based "Sensitive Artificial Listener" here: http://www.vf.utwente.nl/~hofs/sal/
Wow Fred, you're onto it as much as you always have been, finding all of the leading (and bleeding) edge computer developments.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope Linden Labs don't hear about this one. If they added even one more feature their entire system would collapse around their ears.
I have enjoyed the Lanagalist for many years, was sad when it merged with Windows Secrets (I thought it lost some of its edge) and was happy to read in your last posting about your blog. It's great to still be able to read your writings.
Read your motorbike trip report, FANTASTIC, can hardly wait for the rest of the trip.
Hopefully you'll make it over to New Zealand one day, I'd be happy to let you use my bike for a tour.
Remco
Masterton
New Zealand