DARPA's 'Social Puppet'

Roland Piquepaille writes "Videogame creators are heavily using software to animate objects or characters without reprogramming them between two scenes. Now, game designers from the University of Southern California (USC) have developed 'Social Puppet,' a computer engine to 'help soldiers learn unfamiliar languages by interacting with animated characters.' For this project, financed by DARPA, the researchers have used their expertise in previous videogames used by the armed forces, such as 'Tactical Iraqi.' But previous games were focused on teaching language and customs while Social Puppet is giving on-screen characters human non-verbal communication behaviors."

Comments

Finally, a real use for...

[PornMaster]

Finally, a real use for clippy!

"I noticed that you're having some problems with Farsi."

Re:Finally, a real use for...

[jonastullus]

"i've noticed you're trying to calm a crowd of trigger happy extremists. would you like to use the "Middle East Crowd" wizard?"

Re:Finally, a real use for...

[Musteval]

"i've noticed you're trying to calm a crowd of trigger happy extremists. would you like to use the "Middle East Crowd" wizard?"

...at an NRA meeting.

/. Expansion Pack?

[DavidD_CA]

> while Social Puppet is giving on-screen characters human non-verbal communication behaviors

Can they release an expansion pack for the /. crowd? You know, something that teaches us how to act in social situations like bars and parties?

And no, Leisure Suit Larry doesn't count.

Re:DARPA no!

[minus_273]

If you think that is bad, I heard DARPA created a special computer network for the military too. I think it was designed to survive a nuclear attack. After reading this article and the one about the computer network, I've really come to dislike DARPA. If you ask me, DARPA should not waste their time working on such projects for the military. They should stick to peaceful things like autonomous vehicles capable of traveling over the desert alone.