Talking to your computer could soon be a perfectly normal thing to do. The Independent reported this week on a new computer system that involves a talking head, capable of communicating and showing a range of emotions.
The system has been developed by Toshiba’s Cambridge Research Lab and the University of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering, and has been named Zoe.
Professor Roberto Cipolla told The Independent: “Present-day human-computer interaction still revolves around typing at a keyboard or moving and pointing with a mouse.
“For a lot of people, that makes computers difficult and frustrating to use.
“In the future, we will be able to open up computing to far more people if they can speak and gesture to machines in a more natural way.
“That is why we created Zoe – a more expressive, emotionally responsive face that human beings can actually have a conversation with.”
It is thought the technology could be used to send messages on phones instead of texts, or to help autistic or deaf children to use a computer.
Users will eventually be able to download their own face and voice rather than using the current face of actress Zoe Lister.
I already talk – or shout – at my computer, but that’s just in pure frustration. The development of this talking head could soon bring a whole new way of communicating to the screen. I’m not sure I would be that keen on using my own face and voice though – isn’t this a great opportunity to indulge your alter ego?