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IBM Patenting HAL-Like Stuffed Animal Toys
theodp writes "'Look, Dave,' said HAL. 'I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill and think things over.' Put a HAL 9000 in a baby's stuffed animal toy, a toddler's EEG-equipped knit cap, or other interactive monitoring device, and you've got the gist of IBM Research's just-published patent application for its Adaptive System for Real-Time Behavioral Coaching and Command Intermediation. 'For example,' explains Big Blue, 'to help a child who plays rough with other children the interaction data can include multiple interaction operations that can be performed by the interactive device for helping the child play less rough with other children. For example, one interaction operation can include an audible warning telling the child 'to play nice' in a strict tone of voice, whereas another interaction operation can include an audible warning that asks the child 'would you like someone to do that to you' in a softer tone of voice along with a visual cue as well."
You know, Teddy, from Spielberg's underrated but still crappier than usual AI
"Johnny, you shouldn't run with scissors."
"I noticed you've fallen."
"Your mother will be upset if you get blood on the carpet."
"Would you like me to call the ambulance?"
" I can sing you a song until they arrive?"
University of Tennessee DCN Lab: We currently use a very safe, comfortable 128 channel cap(high density EEG sensor array) to collect the infant EEG/ERP. The EEG cap contains sponge discs and there is no risk to the infant wearing the cap.
Isn't it the parent's responsibility to "coach" their child? Maybe if more parents did their job properly there wouldn't be a perceived need for IBM's technology.
I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
We should give them up for 'droids. Much easier to control.
For justice, we must go to Don Corleone
Claim 12: A system as in claim 1 where, if the audible warning telling the child 'to play nice' in a strict tone of voice and the audible warning that asks the child 'would you like someone to do that to you' in a softer tone of voice along with a visual cue as well are not effective, then a small correctional current is applied through EEG electrodes 1 and 2, inducing the desired behavior or a peaceful coma.
Things like this really need to be open source. I'm not just talking about the source code, but the dialog too. Parents need to know what sort of things it's going to say. Last thing I'd want to hear coming out of it's mouth is "IBM is the Light".
Please don't teach kids that it's okay to receive moral instruction from an AI (or worse, a mere expert system). Kids are insidious rules lawyers who will bend and twist words/actions to fit what they want. Human guardians need to be there to make them understand that rules lawyering is not socially acceptable. An expert system will be just as easily beat as the end game boss monster in Mega Man XXXVI.
A 6ft length of rattan cane will do a good job of enforcing the rules and is much cheaper than any AI. Plus it can be fun for at least one participant!
We should give them up for 'droids. Much easier to control.
And iPhones are even easier to control than that: no pesky "Unknown sources" or free access to "ADB".
IBM always try to capture every corner of the market.
Have you ever considered turning off the TV, sitting down with your child, and hitting them?
Uh Oh!
insecurity asks the wrong question irritation gives the wrong answer
'For example,' explains Big Blue, 'to help a child who plays rough with other children the interaction data can include multiple interaction operations that can be performed by the interactive device for helping the child play less rough with other children.
Just so long as they're not going to be teaching kids English....
You need to learn your alphabet a little bit better.
HAL ROT 1 is IBM
IBM ROT -1 (or ROT 25) is HAL
Do you even lift?
These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.
I want an IBM Watson. :P
Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
All summer long?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super-Toys_Last_All_Summer_Long
---
Awesome those teddy bears from the movie Screamers will finally become reality!
People are insidious rules lawyers who will bend and twist words/actions to fit what they want.
Human guardians need to be there to make them understand that rules lawyering is not socially acceptable, lest they become politicians.
Methinks the inventors have dramatically underestimated a) the learning capabilities of 2-to-5-year-olds b) the social intelligence of same, b) the destructive potential of same, and dramatically overestimated a) the everyday authority these toys will have in the eyes of 2-to-five year olds b) the electronics ability to differentiate between c) the willingness and/or ability of parent to feed toy with the behaviors mentioned. In short, this is a disaster waiting to happen. Woe to the parent that relies on one of these contraptions.
Timeo hominem unius libri
I am afraid these toys will lead to more extreme forms of misbehaviour: A child trying to pry open an other child to remove the batteries.
Ratl
Or a manager size . . . ?
"Dave, I think that your employees deserve raises."
Lucky for me that the EEG sensors will not be able to penetrate my tinfoil hat.
Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
The last mimzy should teach them what hollywood do to your prefered tales when you don't behave. And IBM will just make it even (if possible) worse.
I think we can all imagine a 9 year old little shit banging his toy against a wall just to hear it say "ow"
If video games influenced behavior the Pac Man generation would be eating pills and running away from their problems.
We might need Lasse Gjertsen to put this in proper perspective and save us from it. Either him, or the remixer behind Developers.
My first Journal Entry ever, in 8 years! http://slashdot.org/journal/365947/aphelion-scifi-fantasy-horror-poetry-webzine
Sorry for the repost, but I found a better one.
Lasse Gjertsen vs the Angry German Kid
This is the future of being raised by IBM Teddy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A93dHye9ic4&feature=related
My first Journal Entry ever, in 8 years! http://slashdot.org/journal/365947/aphelion-scifi-fantasy-horror-poetry-webzine
Cue thousands of kids thinking they have schizophrenia.
Hostes futuri sint socii.
Comes equipped with auto-shocker to prevent children from acting out. No more child inflicted damage to your product.
For every benefit you receive a tax is levied. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
I wonder if they'll include the V-chip option to electrocute your child every time he says a cuss word?
Bill
"I love you, cold unfeeling robot arm." ~ Invader Zim
I can see how this may be helpful but only if used in conjunction with a real therapist as well. I don't think the use of verbal cues alone by a computer will necessary help reduce unwanted behavior. It will also be difficult to catch the inappropriate behavior across different environments or circumstances. The part about the warnings "would you like someone to do that to you' in a softer tone of voice along with a visual cue as well" also doesn't seem to go along with general theories behind behavioral therapy. Permission Based Email Marketing.
The patent system is so out of control. The wording of this patent is so broad that it could apply to any biofeedback system.
There is no mention of a "teddy" btw, just an "interactive electronic device".
:T:R:A:N:S:
Does this mean that my being a dad means I am also a patent violation?
Slowly waving my hand - "This is not the sig you are looking for."