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Imagine how amazing it would be if your computer could sense your frustration and adjust itself to calm you down? Emotion-sensing technology may one day make this a reality.
Christian Peter, a scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research in Germany, and his team are developing a system that collects data on users’ emotional states based on light, sound, and touch. This technology will decode that information and respond accordingly.
For example, if the computer detects that the user is irritated, it might dim the screen brightness, lower the volume, enhance or reduce visual effects, adjust the flow of information displayed, or simply offer an apology.
However, sensing a person’s emotions is not straightforward. Current data collection methods require users to wear electrodes and be monitored in a laboratory setting.
Less cumbersome methods, like video monitoring or audio recording, allow users to act more naturally. But data can be lost if the individual moves out of range.
Peter and his team are exploring a technology that can detect others’ emotions while allowing them to interact comfortably with the computer. This involves a wireless electronic glove that measures heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
The information gathered from the glove will be transmitted to a data logging unit that stores the data on a memory card and sends it to the computer. The software will analyze the data to identify specific emotional patterns.
For instance, if a person’s heart rate spikes and their body temperature drops to a certain level, it could indicate that the individual is angry. The Fraunhofer team is also investigating facial recognition technology based on standard webcams.
The goal is to compile all information into a database, analyze it in real-time, and program the computer to respond instantly.
