Publication Type

Conference Proceeding Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

12-2012

Abstract

Co-Space refers to interactive virtual environment modelled after the real world in terms of look-and-feel, functionalities and services. We have developed a 3D virtual world named Nanyang Technological University (NTU) CoSpace populated with virtual human characters. Three key requirements of realistic virtual humans in the virtual world have been identified, namely (1) autonomy: agents can function on their own; (2) interactivity: agents can interact naturally with players; and (3) personality: agents can exhibit human traits and characteristics. Working towards these challenges, we propose a brain-inspired agent architecture that integrates goal-directed autonomy, natural language interaction and human-like personality. We conducted an evaluative study involving human subjects to assess how virtual characters may enhance user experience in the virtual world. The results show that the fusion ART-based virtual humans receive significantly higher ratings in various performance measures related to user experience, especially Telepresence, Perceived Interactivity and Flow.

Keywords

3D virtual worlds, Agent architectures, Co-Space, Evaluation, Interactive virtual environments, Natural language interaction, Performance measure, Virtual character

Discipline

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics | Graphics and Human Computer Interfaces

Research Areas

Data Science and Engineering; Information Systems and Management; Intelligent Systems and Optimization

Publication

Proceedings of the 2012 IEEE/WIC/ACM International Conference on Intelligent Agent Technology, Macau, China, December 4-7

Volume

2

First Page

59

Last Page

66

ISBN

9780769548807

Identifier

10.1109/WI-IAT.2012.130

Publisher

IEEE

City or Country

New Jersey

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1109/WI-IAT.2012.130

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