Affective Social Computing Laboratory
Current projects
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HapFACS 1.0: Software/API for generating FACS-based facial expressions
Our HapFACS open source software (soon available here) for facial expression generation based on Ekman's (1992) Facial Action Coding Systems (FACS) - the current standard on facial coding of the human face - enables 1) researchers on expressive characters to design a set of FACS-based facial expressions on the Haptek virtual character platform and to integrate their expressive avatars in their application; and 2) researchers on facial expression recognition to experiment with realistically generated expressions at the level of 49 individual Action Units (AUs). Our work is described in the following article: R. Amini, U. Yasavur, C. L. Lisetti (2012). HapFACS 1.0: Software/API for Generating FACS-Based Facial Expressions. In Proceedings of the ACM 3rd International Symposium on Facial Analysis and Animation (FAA'12), (VIenna, AUSTRIA, September, 2012). |
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On-Demand VIrtual Counselor
In this project, we design and implement the prototype of On-Demand VIrtual Counselor (ODVIC) intelligent virtual characters who can provide people access to effective behavior change interventions and help them find and cultivate motivation to change unhealthy lifestyles (e.g. excessive alcohol use, overeating). An empathic Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) delivers the intervention. The health dialog is directed by a computational model of Motivational Interviewing, a novel effective face-to-face patient-centered counseling style which respects an individual’s pace toward behavior change. Although conducted on a small sample size, results of a preliminary user study to asses users’ acceptance of the virtual character counselor indicate that the system prototype is well accepted by 75% of users. Our work is described in the following article: C. L. Lisetti (2012). Building On-demand Avatar-based Health Intervention for Behavior Change. In Proceedings of the 25th International FLAIRS Conference, (Marco Island, USA, May 2012). |
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Dialog systems for behavior change
This project aims at developing dialog systems for behavior change, specifically recognizing people psycholinguistic patterns toward potential health-promoting lifestyle behavior change. We specifically investigate Adaptations of Motivational Interviewing (AMI) techniques. Additional articles about our current and past projects are available on our publication page. |
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