Use of face robot for human-computer communication

Abstract

We are attempting to introduce a 3-dimensional, realistic human-like face robot to human-computer communication modality. The face robot can recognize human facial expressions as well as produce more realistic facial expressions. We propose a new concept of "Active Human Interface"; and as the first step, we investigate the performance of facial expression recognition by neural network (NN) and the expressionability of facial messages on face robot. We find that the NN recognition of facial expressions and face robot's performance in generating facial expressions are of almost same level as that in humans. This implies a high potential in the use of face robot for human-computer communication media.