Friday, 12 November 2010

Phones that know how you feel

Japanese company Reikmoto Labs is developing an exciting technology that
may allow phones to detect emotional states.

AffectPhone: A Handset Device to Present User's Emotional State with
Warmth/Coolness
http://lab.rekimoto.org/projects/affectphone/

"
We developed AffectPhone, a system that detects a user's emotional state
using the GSR, and conveys this state via changes in the temperature
(warmth or coolness) of the back panel of the other handset. Since GSR
is a good measure of a user's level of arousal, we detect the GSR using
electrodes attached to the sides of the handset. When the user's level
of arousal increases or decreases, a Peltier module in the back panel of
the other device generates warmth or cool- ness. This system does not
require special sensors to be attached to the user's body, and
therefore, it does not interrupt the user's daily use of the mobile
phone. Moreover, this system is designed to convey non-verbal
information in an ambi- ent manner, and therefore, it would be more
efficient than displays or speakers. This system is expected to help
enhance existing telecommunication.
"

I think GSR is galvanic skin response.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_skin_response

The Ouidoo Gaian may feature a technology similar to this. The Reikmoto
implementation which uses a panel so the user can register their emotion
through warmth and coolness may be of limited value.

It may help a person detect their emotional state and realise they need
to calm down or cheer up, perhaps. It would be amazing if the
information about a person's mood could be relayed to the user at the
other end. Some people aren't good at recognising other people's
emotions and this can make for miscommunication. Others may not be good
at communicating their emotions on a phone or on a low quality call. If
this technology can be used to reliably detect a caller's emotional
state then there's exciting possibilities for more transmissive
communication using mobile technology.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Blog Archive

About Me

We It comes in part from an appreciation that no one can truly sign their own work. Everything is many influences coming together to the one moment where a work exists. The other is a begrudging acceptance that my work was never my own. There is another consciousness or non-corporeal entity that helps and harms me in everything I do. I am not I because of this force or entity. I am "we"