Affective Computing

By ahya23

  • Theory of the Abstract Computing Machine

    Alan Mathison Turning described an "abstract computing machine", having no bounds to its memory and uses a scanner to search is memory via symbols. While it is searching through the symbols, it continues to write more. In his theory, the machine learns as it goes (Encyclopedia Britannica, inc. 2024). Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, December 13). History of artificial intelligence (AI). Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/history-of-artificial-intelligence).

  • "Intelligent machinery"

    The potential of artificial intelligence was realized shortly following WWII. Many, namely Alan Mathison Turing, wanting machines to be able to "learn from experience" (Britannica, inc. 2024). Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, December 13). History of artificial intelligence (AI). Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/history-of-artificial-intelligence

  • Cross-cultural research

    Cross-cultural research
    Paul Eckman conducted research across different parts of the world to see if there was a universal nature to any human emotions. He discovered there was (Yarwood, n.d.). The results of this research helped others understand how to help computers read human emotion (Yonck, 2017, p.55). Yarwood, M. (n.d.). Facial expressions: Basic emotions theory. Psychology of Human Emotion An Open Access Textbook. https://psu.pb.unizin.org/psych425/chapter/facial-expressions-basic-emotions-theory/

  • "Affective Computing"

    Rosaland Picard chose the term for her research, and accepted the 'help' of emotions to further the development of attentive machinery (Yonck, 2017, p. 47).
    Because of Picard's research, we have technologies today, such as "Alexa", "Siri", "Google", and many more.

  • "The Rise and fall of Clippy"

    "The Rise and fall of Clippy"
    Microsoft's "Clippy" was largely unpopular with many computer users as it was not sensitve enough to recognize what assistance the user really needed. Microsoft can together with Picard's team in hopes of reviving Clippy, but it was still an annoyance ay large. Although Clippy was retired, the technology used by the mouse Picard and her team created was used later....

  • FaceSense Software

    FaceSense Software
    Rana el Kaliouby first used FaceSense in a pair of glasses with a webcam and LED lights, using the software to pick out the emotions of the person you were speaking to (Yonck, 2017, p.60). Based on it's facial recognition abilities, it was able to be further developed into other technologies, such as iSet. It teaches those with ASD to recognize different emotions by creating a video and tracking the facial movements, much like the glasses (Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (n.d.))

  • iCalm

    iCalm
    Although initially marketed toward those with Autism or those with epilepsy, this wristband tracks body temperature and heartrate to look at stress levels in the wearer, which can also be useful for the general public (Matheson, 2016). Matheson, R. (2016, March 9). Wristband detects and alerts for seizures, monitors stress. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://news.mit.edu/2016/empatica-wristband-detects-alerts-seizures-monitors-stress-0309

  • The Q Sensor

    The Q Sensor
    The Q sensor, created by Kaliouby and Picard to aid those with autism to understand their emotions, was sold and used to further advance tracking physiologic data (sleep quality, heartrate, stress, etc). It contains similar technology to many smart watches do today, such as the Apple watch. Grifantini, K. (2010, April 26). Sensor detects emotions through the skin. MIT Technology Review. https://www.technologyreview.com/2010/10/26/199707/sensor-detects-emotions-through-the-skin/

  • Pepper

    Pepper
    Softbank sold Pepper to the general public. Pepper used facial recognition technology, which was becoming more and more popular, to make him the "interactive, social robot" he is. This was a large step in Affective Technology.
    (Yonck, 2017, p. 82)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqlyxg1-gE0

  • An emotional GPS

    Truly affective GPS technology will be able to sense what emotions the driver is experiencing while driving by taking into account their grip on the steering wheel, and their heartrate via the driver's fingers. Once certain stress markers are met, the GPS will tell the driver they are doing a good job, and remind them that the GPS can easily re-route. It will be more emotive, taking into account the final destination (i.e. job interview), providing emotional support as needed.

  • Self-typing keyboards

    Rather than text to speech, the computer connected to the keyboard will take into account your facial expressions, ... read your thoughts to know what you want to type, and the keyboard will do the work for you, including any necessary citations.