technabob » expression http://technabob.com/blog gadgets, gizmos, games, cool gadgets, geeky gadgets Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:53:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 robot learns to make facial expressions, is rewarded with a measly “signal” http://technabob.com/blog/2009/07/10/robot-learns-to-make-facial-expressions/ http://technabob.com/blog/2009/07/10/robot-learns-to-make-facial-expressions/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:41:47 +0000 lambert v. http://technabob.com/blog/?p=16540 At least dogs get food when they get things right. This poor robot Einstein, made by computer scientists from the Machine Perception Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego, was given time to play with its 31 artificial facial muscles while “staring” at its reflection in the mirror. The robot was also equipped with a camera as well as facial recognition software, so that when it happened upon a human facial expression while it was experimenting, the software would send a “reward signal” to the robot. That must have been one hell of a signal.

scaryeinstein

The scientists’ next goal is to get the Einstein robot to socialize, and eventually robot tormentors tutors.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Marian Bartlett, a facial recognition expert who was a part of the experiment, said that the aim is to use robots to conduct one-on-one tutoring, which she says can improve learning “by as much as two standard deviations.” Sounds like they want our kids to go insane.

[via Wired]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2009/07/10/robot-learns-to-make-facial-expressions/feed/ 2 alter ego 3d facial animations are really, really, real http://technabob.com/blog/2008/08/09/alter-ego-facial-animation-3d/ http://technabob.com/blog/2008/08/09/alter-ego-facial-animation-3d/#comments Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:43:24 +0000 technabob http://technabob.com/blog/?p=3515 This amazing combination of technology and graphical artistry makes for some of the most realistic and precise 3D animated facial expressions I’ve ever seen come out of a computer.

pendulum alter ego 3d marc antony

Pendulum Studios’, AlterEgo division combines facial expression software, precision motion capture, and good old-fashioned artistry to reproduce the most minute facial movements you’ve ever seen on a digital actor. Every wrinkle, crinkle and twitch is reproduced with startling accuracy.

Alter Ego 3d Faces

The guys over at AlterEgo have developed proprietary “facial performance software”, which combined with special mo-cap hardware, can produce unbelievably real digital faces in record time. Their work has been featured in motion pictures, commercials, animation and video games including Dark Sector and the forthcoming Silent Hill 5.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

After you’ve watched the lo-res video above, be sure to check out AlterEgo’s Hi-Res demo videos to see just how amazing this stuff truly is.

[via TechEBlog]

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