Advanced Chatbot Could Help With Social Awkwardness

Posted by samzenpus on Sunday September 1, 2013 @06:02PM from the but-he-cannot-speak-it-good-like-we-do dept.

mikejuk writes "Researchers at MIT Media Lab are working on an automated personal-computer-based system designed to help people improve interpersonal and conversational skills. The software is called MACH, short for My Automated Conversation coacH (pdf). It makes use of a computer-generated onscreen face to simulate interactive conversations. It performs facial, speech, and behavior analysis and synthesis to emulate human-to-human responses. At the end of the session it provides the user with feedback on their performance. Using a webcam the program can analyze facial expressions, including smiling and head gestures while its voice recognition system analyzes not only what you say but also how you say it and notes non-verbal vocalizations. As feedback you watch the video side-by-side with the analysis of your behavior — see the video of it in action. It has already been shown to improve job interview techniques and other potential uses are coaching in public speaking and dating."

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Talking to chatbots is socially awkward by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-01 18:19 · Score: 3, Funny

Just saying....
1. Re:Talking to chatbots is socially awkward by lxs · 2013-09-01 18:51 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  What about talking to chatbots is socially awkward makes you feel that way?
how does it cope with b**chy resting face? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-01 19:05 · Score: 2, Funny

The paper has a diagram showing a graph of % smile over time. Is this calibrated for those of us who suffer from b**chy resting face / resting a**hole face?
The only downside is by OhANameWhatName · 2013-09-01 19:39 · Score: 5, Funny

... that geeks will start breeding.
Blind leading the blind by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-01 19:55 · Score: 5, Funny

Socially awkward nerds build machine for socially awkward nerds to learn to be less awkward.
Re:Sounds nice, but then again.... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-01 20:38 · Score: 2, Funny

No, he's right. Zombie apocalypse has broken out where he lives. He survived because the zombies couldn't recognize him as human, thanks to his awkward behaviour. They always think he's already one of them.