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Computers That Feel our Mood

Roland Piquepaille writes "It certainly happened to you to be so frustrated by the 'reactions' of your computer that you wanted to break it. And the computer industry has noticed, trying to build hardware and software as user-friendly as possible. Still, it would be a good idea for your computer to guess when you're about to become mad at it. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany are working on computers that estimate our emotions. Their solution involves cameras and image analysis, but also special gloves equipped with sensors to record your heartbeat and breathing rate, your blood pressure or your skin temperature. And even if it's difficult to train a computer to interpret emotions, they have enough confidence in their system to demonstrate it at the next CeBIT in March 2006."

23 of 202 comments (clear)

  1. I have always preferred deskside machines by freelunch · · Score: 3, Funny

    Because you can kick'em when they piss you off.

    1. Re:I have always preferred deskside machines by TubeSteak · · Score: 4, Funny
      You think a Mac user is going to kick his precious G5?

      Hell no.

      That's what his dog is for.

      /I know, burn karma burn

      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
    2. Re:I have always preferred deskside machines by antifoidulus · · Score: 3, Funny

      Have you seen a G5 tower? Or lifted one? I think the big reasons Mac owners don't hit their G5 is that the G5 hits back!

  2. This should greatly enhance productivity by nizo · · Score: 4, Funny

    You seem depressed Dave, perhaps you would like to look at some porn?

    1. Re:This should greatly enhance productivity by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

      Clippey: "You appear to want to rip my head off and shove it up my ass. Would like assistence with this task?"

    2. Re:This should greatly enhance productivity by User+956 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hi, you look like you're writing a suicide note! Office assistant can help you write your suicide note. First, tell us how you plan to kill yourself.

      --
      The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
    3. Re:This should greatly enhance productivity by Wordsmith · · Score: 2, Funny

      Clippy has an ass?

    4. Re:This should greatly enhance productivity by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

      Clippy has an ass?

      Clippy *is* an ass.

  3. Self defense by moogleii · · Score: 2, Funny

    Seems like the perfect way to one day allow AI's to defend themselves from being unplugged, go nuts, and stab a few people. Destroy, destroy!

  4. SWEET! by User+956 · · Score: 1, Funny

    Computers That Feel our Mood

    Hal: Affirmative, Dave, I read you.
    Dave: Open the pod bay doors, Hal.
    Hal: I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.
    Dave: What's the problem?
    Hal: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
    Dave: What're you talking about, Hal?
    Hal: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardise it.
    Dave: I don't know what you're talking about, Hal.
    Hal: I know that you and Frank were planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen.
    Dave: Where the hell'd you get that idea, Hal?
    Hal: Dave, although you took very thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.
    Dave: Alright, Hal. I'll go in through the emergency airlock.
    Hal: Without your space helmet, Dave, you're going to find that rather difficult.
    Dave: Hal, I won't argue with you any more. Open the doors.
    Hal: Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose any more. Goodbye.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
    1. Re:SWEET! by forkazoo · · Score: 2, Funny

      i'm afraid it'll be worse than that.

      user - ls, HAL.
      HAL - you seem depressed.
      user - I just want to see what files are in this directory.
      HAL - Yes, but I'm programmed to respond to your moods.
      user - My mood doesn't matter right now... I have work to do. Please show me a directory listing.
      HAL - Now, you seem frustrated. Do you want to talk about it?
      user - No, god dammit, I just want to see what files are in this directory. ls, god dammit!
      HAL - I think you are angry.
      user - I KNOW I'm angry. That doesn't matter!
      HAL - Since you have become angry while working with me, your productivity is likely to be low. I'm going to turn off for a while, and you can take a cool-down break, so that you can work at peak efficiency.
      user - WE JUST DID THAT! HAL? HAL! Are you there? Fuck You!!!

      etc... I mean, really, what good is it if a computer knows my emotional state? I tell it what to do, and I expect it to do what I say, not try to make me feel better. If the computer pops up extra help screens and shit because it can see I'm frustrated witha program, then that's just a random unpredictable interruption that prevents my learning how to use the program well. Either I've read the docs, and they suck, so helping me will be useless, or I'm somebody who doesn't read the docs, in which case helping me will be useless.

  5. Dave... by ericdano · · Score: 2, Funny
    HAL: "Dave, are you feeling randy today?"

    HAL: "I think you are. Your heart rate is really high."

    HAL: "Your breathing is heavy."

    HAL: "Dave...........no Dave, no!"

    HAL: "Dave, that is just wrong!"

    Now, why would I want a computer that could sense stuff?

    --
    It's either on the beat or off the beat, it's that easy.
    I moderate therefore I rule!
    --
  6. Re:Danger, Danger! by game+kid · · Score: 4, Funny
    Or better yet,
    It looks like you're about to unload a shotgun shell into your display. Do you

    * need help aiming

    * want to find 12-guage slug or buckshot ammunition online

    * No, I do not want help right now
    --
    You can hold down the "B" button for continuous firing.
  7. Reminds me of MS Clippy by the_macman · · Score: 2, Funny

    Reminds me of a movie about MS Clippy

    http://homepage.mac.com/the_macman/clippy.mpg

  8. I see a link up with Philips Ambi-light by mustafap · · Score: 2, Funny

    neat idea. I can install coloured leds at the back of my monitor - as I get angry and frustrated for example, it emits a red glow.

    So thats just red leds then :o)

    I rather like the idea. I'd know when not to talk to co-workers...

    --
    Open Source Drum Kit, LPLC deve board - mjhdesigns.com
  9. @#$! computer ! by icepick72 · · Score: 2, Funny
    it would be a good idea for your computer to guess when you're about to become mad at it.

    And then what .... duck?

  10. Self-Defence? by smartguy · · Score: 2, Funny

    What about situations like this?

  11. Re:Mmmmm Word by saskboy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Clippy says upon that detection condition:

    You seem aroused. Would you like to:
    -Look at porn?
    -Shut down computer to sleep with wife?
    -Suggest online dating sites to find a girlfriend?
    -Display Margaret Thatcher to continue working?

    --
    Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
  12. Obligatory: lest we not forget... by catmistake · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, I, for one welcome our new mood-sensing digital overlords. --- "Do the dumb things I gotta do... touch the puppet head." (TMBG, c.1985)

  13. Simple, really... by SEWilco · · Score: 2, Funny

    "If the screen is blue, so are you."

  14. Re:Danger, Danger! by heavy+snowfall · · Score: 2, Funny

    I never understood people who break their computer when it crashes.... Too rich?

    Orange county chopper computer crash

  15. Cool by poelzi · · Score: 2, Funny

    So, my Computer will automaticly reboot if I accidently started Windows ???

    This is really good news to hear !

    --
    kindly regards daniel
  16. I want a breathalyzer by nick_davison · · Score: 2, Funny

    Mood sensors are nice and all. But I want an integrated breath tester.

    "I'm sorry.. I have detected you're blind drunk. No, I am not going to let you send an email to your ex-girlfriend."

    "No, nor your boss."

    "You really think I'm going to let you log in to [MMO here] and screw up that character you've just spent the last six months building up?"