adding facial expressions to ecas
DESCRIPTION
Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) are graphical computer interfaces that are represented as a human body and can use verbal and nonverbal modes of communication to interact with the user. These agents are made to enhance the liveliness in the communication between a computer and a human. Adding lifelike features to an ECA can help in enhancing the liveliness of this communication. In our research we are going to test whether adding lifelike features to an ECA will also influence the likeability perceived by the user. We think this is important, because increasing the likeability smoothens the interaction between the ECA and the user and it is also directly related to the trust in the ECA. To measure whether adding lifelike features to an ECA influences its likeability perceived by the user, a survey was conducted. For this survey two representations of an ECA were developed. Both are similar, except that one of them has lifelike features such as blinking, eyebrow movement and slight nodding of the head. Every participant was asked to rate the likeability of one of these representations. The result of this research was that adding lifelike features to an ECA does not significantly influence the likeability perceived by the user. NOTE: SLIDE 6 IS A YOUTUBE VIDEO (CLICK TO PLAY)TRANSCRIPT
Adding facial expressions to ECAsGROUP 15 - Rianne Nieland - Georgios Lilikakis - Sylvia van Schie - Andy Wang - Bart Witteveen
Embodied Conversational Agents
● Recognize, respond to and generate verbal and non-verbal behaviour● Deal with conversational functions● Give signals that indicate state of conversation
Facial Expressions
Blinking, eyebrow movements, head nodding
Topic introduction
Literature
Likeability indicates if something or someone is pleasant, friendly,
or easy to like.
Likeability is measured with two factors:
● attractiveness ● expertise
What influence do slight facial expressions of an ECA have on the
likeability perceived by the user?
The likeability of an ECA, as perceived by the user, is influenced by the
addition of some facial expressions.
Research question + Hypothesis
What is likeability?
Method: Literature review
Does adding minor facial expressions to an ECA influence
the likeability perceived by the user?
Method: Survey with basic question (gender, age) + Reysen likeability scale
Significant test: Independent samples T-Test
Methods
Questionnaire
Results 1/2
Figure 3. Overview of the two groups: Moving and Static
Figure 1. Figure 2 Cronbach’s Alpha internal concistancy of the items Distribution of men and women among different types of ECA
Results 2/2H1: The likeability of an ECA, as perceived by the user, is influenced by the
addition of some facial expressions.
We reject H1.
The statement ‘I would like this person as my roommate' shows the largest
difference between static and moving.
Women like the representations more than men. (not significant)
DiscussionReysen likeability scale made for measuring likeability of person
Not using completely functional ECA
Only female ECA and then the statements:
● This person is physically attractive.● This person is similar to me.
ConclusionAdding facial expressions to an ECA does not influence
the likeability perceived by the user.
Future work
Experiment with completely functional ECAs, one male and one female.
Equally gender divided sample groups.
Questions?