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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."

18 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 fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 4, Funny

      Don't worry, the "undisclosed Microsoft technology" will allow him to whisper 'why won't you... Love ME?' into your ear just as you are on the verge of falling asleep...

      They want to be sure that none of their next-gen hardware survives user-inflicted destruction long enough to RRoD.

    2. Re:Frightening by SilverHatHacker · · Score: 5, Funny

      Why won't I love ME? Because it was a terrible operating system. Why do you ask?

      --
      Funny may not give karma, but +5 Informative never made anyone snort coffee out their nose.
    3. Re:Frightening by Lord_of_the_nerf · · Score: 4, Funny

      Microsoft wouldn't give Milo the capacity to think for himself.

      If he could, there's the chance he might pick Firefox.

    4. Re:Frightening by hairyfeet · · Score: 4, Funny

      You know, I still think Gates owes all of us that was stuck with that turkey an apology and a copy of XP Home. Where is my apology you rich bastard!!! Just as I think the Ballmer monkey should do the right thing and say he was sorry for Vista and give those stuck with that loser at least Windows 7 Starter just to say he was sorry. WHERE IS MY APOLOGY YOU FAT BASTARD! And WTF is it with /. and the Gates borg? The man hasn't been head of the company in years. Shouldn't they switch to a chair throwing Ballmer Monkey by now?

      As for TFA, I can see some real world applications for this tech. Imagine a virtual teacher with infinite patience for those with learning disabilities. you could use this tech to tailor a learning plan for the individual without the incredibly high cost of private tutors. Done right I could see this really helping kids.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    5. 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.

    6. 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. Wait, I've seen this before... by bobetov · · Score: 4, Funny

    Microsoft Bob lives!

    And takes up the awesome responsibility of being the latest hyped MS product to utterly fail. Sheesh.

    --
    Looking for a Rails developer in Chapel Hill?
  3. oh boy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh boy! Clippy comes to the living room!

  4. Re:Cheese whiz by Dremth · · Score: 5, Informative

    Not only is it cheesy (and INCREDIBLY old news), the video in TFA is a fake. Proof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFAK8ubYtZE

  5. Things I would like to do with Milo by RafaelAngel · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) Walk around naked in Milo's presence. How would he react? Is Milo into women or men?

    2) Drink beer in the presence of Milo. Would Milo care for some and if yes, can Milo become drunk?

    3) Mess with Milo's logic.

    4) Scare Milo by saying that it was created by Microsoft and therefore is evil.

    5) Teach Milo to fart.

    6) Tell Milo he is a pirated version.

    7) Convert Milo to a religion.

    1. Re:Things I would like to do with Milo by Qzukk · · Score: 4, Funny

      It'd be hilarious if the copy protection caused Milo to scream "You're not my daddy/mommy!" every time you try talking to him.

      --
      If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
  6. 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.

  7. I saw the video demo of that last year by NotSoHeavyD3 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Of course all I could think about when he was on the doc was "Wow he's annoying, I want to shove him off into the pond."

    --
    Did you know 80 to 90% of the moderators on slashdot wouldn't recognize a troll even if one dragged them under a bridge.
  8. Re:What could possibly go wrong... by sg_oneill · · Score: 5, Funny

    What are you talking about. The AI was awesome. Once I started rewarding my ape for Lighting its shit on fire, and also rewarding it for throwing its shit at villagers, it put 1+1 together and innovated unholy projectile flame turds.

    I only wish my horse on red read redemption would come up with that instead of "jumping of cliffs and dying" :(

    --
    Excuse the Unicode crap in my posts. That's an apostrophe, and slashdot is busted.
  9. Re:Cheese whiz by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    They were trying to make a virtual girlfriend for Ballmer.

    Please, don't ask why it's a little boy.

    That's it. All the truth.

  10. Undisclosed Technology == Babbage! by pdxp · · Score: 5, Funny

    People might think it's funny when their AI friend has a funny accent, but it's cheaper to outsource these things to India! I assure you people will be amazed and perplexed by how wonderful this AI is, but maybe curious why it has an hourly cost....

  11. 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?