Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

We are studying theories of speech, facial gesture and affect perception using computational and robotic models. Currently, we are conducting experiments using the UBC anthropomorphic robotic jaw and a graphical, computational jaw model to determine how much information is required for intelligible speech as well as affect. Ultimately, we require a complete anthropomorphic face model that attaches to our existing robotic jaw.  With this equipment, we intend to have  a robot which is capable of interacting with people in an engagingly close human-like way, so that we may investigate how people interact with robotic agents and delve deeper into what it means to be human by trying to synthesize facial expression and gesture beyond 2D graphical representations of the face.The robotic face we are requesting funds for is a 21 degree-of-freedom (DoF) head with an additional 3 DoF for the neck. The equipment will accommodate our existing 6 DoF anatomically correct robotic jaw.  The DoFs of the requested equipment have mobility ranges that are beyond human capabilities, in order to allow for increased facial expressiveness.