VISTA (Virtual human Interface for a Set-Top box Agent)
an ITC led project that will examine the potential use
of technologies that allow a viewer to "speak" commands
to the TV and have the TV "talk" back, to easily
select programmes from the hundreds of digital channels now
available.
Contact: Jonathan.Freeman@itc.org.uk
The ITC Technology Group is leading an 18 month research
and development project called VISTA (Virtual human Interface
for a Set-Top box Agent). The project is funded under the
DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), EPSRC (Engineering
and Physical Sciences Research Council) and ESRC (Economic
and Social Research Council) LINK PACCIT (People at the Centre
of Communications and Information Technology) Research Programme.
The aim of the project is to develop a voice controlled talking
interface to a particularly useful aspect of digital TV -
the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) which provides access
to current and future programming information and other services.
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As take-up of digital television continues to grow, Electronic
Programme Guides (EPGs) offering details of current and future
programming have become a valued feature in the majority of
digital homes across the UK. While they provide clear benefits
to most viewers, EPGs can present difficulties for those viewers
who are unable to read text information either on screen or
on a remote control, or who are physically unable to handle
a remote control. It is hoped that, in future, devices with
voice recognition and speech synthesis functionality may allow
these viewers to access more easily the benefits of digital
television.
With the aim of assisting such viewers, the partners in the
VISTA Project will carry out research into the development
of a complete Virtual Human Interface for digital television.
Capitalising on the latest advances in virtual human acquisition
and animation technologies, a virtual human will be combined
with voice input and output systems to create an easy to use
prototype interaction system for visually impaired viewers.
The project will employ an iterative, user-centred approach,
with detailed consultation with viewer groups and evaluation
of a series of potential interfaces by users.
The Project started in April 2002 and will be completed at
the start of October 2003. For further information, please
contact the VISTA Project Manager, Dr. Jonathan Freeman via
the email link above.
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