Diversity Within Virtual Human Communication

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Sheridan College proposes to partner with Quantum Capture, a leading provider of high-end digital doubles based on 3D scanning and motion capture, in further development of their 'CTRL Human' platform that brings avatars to life through artificial intelligence (AI). The proposed project will centre on research and development (R&D) into further implementation of their state-of-the-art virtual human development platform that is blurring the lines between real and virtual people. The goal will be to significantly enhance the capacity of CTRL Human to allow developers, content creators, brands, and businesses to add customized virtual human experiences powered by AI and chatbot systems to virtual humans and avatars. Virtual humans (VHs) are computer-generated characters that exhibit human-like qualities and communicate using natural human modalities including facial expressions, speech and gesture. The potential for dramatic growth in commercial application of VHs is being enabled by developments in two significant areas of predicted international market growth over the next five years: virtual and augmented reality (V/AR), and AI. Commercialization opportunities exist within media and entertainment; training and simulation across all sectors; and support for human-to-human provision of services in areas such as healthcare, aging in place, and education. At present, however, research and commercialization are hampered by a variety of factors including the complexity of the technologies required within an end-to-end solution. This proposed project will enable a team of Sheridan researchers from the digital arts, computer sciences, and social sciences to work with Quantum Capture to further develop a platform that will significantly benefit the company while having secondary benefit throughout multiple Canadian economic and social welfare sectors. The project will leverage Sheridan's R&D strengths in real-time animation, motion capture, V/AR, mobile computing, gaming, and machine learning. It will also contribute to the development of a globally significant research cluster on virtual humans being established by Sheridan with participation of multiple companies and not-for-profit organizations.