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Microsoft Shows Off 'Milo' Virtual Human

Posted by samzenpus on from the patch-often dept.

adeelarshad82 writes "At TED Global in Oxford, Microsoft released a video showing off its 'virtual human' technology, named Milo, designed for the company's hands-free Xbox 360 motion controller called Kinect. Milo is built to react to people's emotions, body movements, and voice, allowing players to interact with the virtual character. It was built using artificial intelligence developed by Lionhead studios, along with undisclosed technology from Microsoft. According to games designer Peter Molyneux, the game exploits psychological techniques to make a person feel that Milo is real. Each Milo character will be unique because every player's interaction with the virtual character will sculpt the type of virtual person Milo will evolve to become."

5 of 270 comments (clear)

  1. Frightening by Fwipp · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Honestly, I don't know whether this is the Uncanny Valley manifesting, but that kid just creeps me out.

    1. Re:Frightening by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The purpose of ME was to make XP look good, just as the purpose of Vista was to make 7 look good.

    2. Re:Frightening by delinear · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I love the irony of your comment and your sig:

      If Milo can't think for himself then he's nothing close to a virtual human.

      --

      You can lead a man with reason but you can't make him think.

      Plenty of actual humans can't/don't think for themselves, so why is it a necessary requirement for a virtual human?

  2. Re:Ultimately this wouln't go well. by Kenoli · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Microsoft couldn't get basic speech to text to work reliably

    My thoughts exactly.

    Probably straight prerendered video.

  3. Important Questions by urusan · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If I turn off Milo, does he die?

    What if I turn him off and then never play with him again?

    What if I delete him?

    Is it unethical to mass produce thousands of Milos that will live short (often abused) lives before they are forgotten or deleted?