HIFI-PRINTER

"high fidelity Presence and Interaction: convergence of computer graphics, vision and robotics for improving human-robot and human-computer interaction"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'While interacting with virtual characters in a virtual environment or with a humanoid robot in the real world, several key enabling technologies are needed for the “suspension of disbelief” or feeling of presence (“being there”) and natural communication between the real user and the virtual or robotic equivalent. The aim of this project is the convergence of the most essential high-fidelity presence and interaction computer graphics and vision enabling technologies for improving human-computer and human-robot interaction in virtual as well as augmented reality environments, involving novel virtual characters and humanoids. On one hand, based on the extensive prior research experience of the fellow in computer graphics and real-time virtual character simulation technologies (realistic rendering, natural animation, and believable face & body simulation), a novel mathematical unified framework will be researched in this project as one key enabling technology in human-computer interaction. One the other hand, the ability of virtual characters or humanoids to visually perceive and understand articulated human motion (be that gestures, actions, expressions, etc) and to appropriately react or imitate this motion depending on the requirements of the specific task at hand is another key enabling technology in which the fellow will be trained explicitly by the host FORTH-CVRLab in this project. So far the fellow has been utilizing extensively such vision-based techniques in his research career, but most often as “black-boxes” without having being formally introduced to their intrinsic characteristics, as he has being rather focusing on graphics and presence research. The host in this project will expose directly the fellow in the latest vision and robotics technologies and also empower him to directly implement them via the new unified framework in both robotic humanoids as well as ambient intelligent virtual characters.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU team extended and consolidated key mathematical techniques for improving the realism of computer-generated characters. In addition, the partnership devised means of improving computer capacities to interpret and respond to human movement.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The simulated characters populating virtual worlds, for example in training scenarios, are often unrealistic and unbelievable. Achieving realism (known as 'presence') requires several key advanced graphics technologies.

With EU funding, the project http://www.ics.forth.gr/hifi-printer/ (HIFI-PRINTER) aimed to unite essential high-fidelity presence technologies, to make computer-generated characters more lifelike and believable. The single-member project ran between April 2011 and March 2014, and was administered under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) as part of the Marie Curie Action programme.

Project researchers studied a novel framework, based on geometric algebra, allowing real-time simulation. Unlike previous disjointed techniques, the new method unifies and smoothes various simulation technologies.

The project team also investigated options for allowing virtual characters to detect, interpret and appropriately respond to human movement, such as hand gestures or expressions. Researchers received training in the latest methods of making such processes explicit, and the opportunity to apply the concepts in practice.

Project research yielded several significant publications, including conference presentations, a book chapter and an edited book.

HIFI-PRINTER investigated unifying key methods of adding realism to computer-generated characters. The study also involved methods for allowing simulated characters to interpret human movement.