Simulation: Project LifeLike - Computer Interfaces that Learn

This collaborative research project investigates, develops and evaluates lifelike, natural computer interfaces as portals to intelligent programs in the context of Decision Support System (DSS).

The goal of this effort is to provide a natural interface that supports realistic spoken dialog and non-verbal cues that is capable of learning to maintain its knowledge current and correct. Research objectives focus around the development of an avatar-based interface with which the DSS user can interact.

Communication with the avatar will occur in spoken natural language combined with gestural expressions or pointing on the screen.

This project extends a current National Science Foundation-sponsored DSS-based project on information gathered about Dr. Alex Schwarzkopf of the NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC) Program.

This project is a collaboration between the Intelligent Systems Laboratory (ISL) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).

The EVL team's focus is on avatar development encompassing Visualization and Interaction with Realistic Avatars and Evaluation of System Naturalness and Usability. The ISL team's focus is on Natural Language Recognition and on Automated Knowledge Update and refinement.

More information can be found on EVL's website - http://www.evl.uic.edu/core.php?mod=4...