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Monday March 6, 2006
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 Here's a high-tech way to stay in sync with your honey: Hand him or her a KOTOHANA, a terminal in the shape of a flower, developed jointly by NEC, NEC Design and SGI Japan. Each flower contains a microphone that captures voice data for emotional processing, the results of which are sent via wireless LAN to the counterpoint flower. Then, the embedded LEDs in the KOTOHANAs change color -- yellow for happy, blue for sad, and so on -- depending on what the person who's hanging on to the other one is feeling. Got that? They're able to figure out moods with an "emotion recognition engine" called Sensibility Technology (ST), developed by SGI Japan with the cooperation of AGI, which detects joy, sorrow, calmness and excitement in speech patterns. As emotions change, the changes show via color gradations and variations in brightness. The KOTOHANA isn't in production yet, but it'll be shown at CeBit in Hannover, Germany, which starts on March 9. [Via Pink Tentacle]
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March 7, 2006 5:35 PM
Would be great for work - put on my desk as a warning to those who come wanting something - come back when it is the right color.
March 7, 2006 6:32 PM
It would be more fun to put a fake one on your desk. (flower glows a happy color) Come in... Sit down... What can I do for you? :-) Buwahahah... -=-
March 8, 2006 7:41 AM
I wonder if this "Mood Flower" would be a good thing for people with disabilities? When they are in a lot of pain, would it change to a particular color, telling others to, " Watch out, I am in PAIN" ? Maybe even a doctor's office could use them, to let the patients know when things are going well, or what mood the doctor is in. Something to think about...hmmmm.
March 8, 2006 10:28 AM
I feel bad for those who have a pretty normal voice overall when their sad, mad, or even happy. I wonder how accurate this thing is.
March 8, 2006 10:32 AM
Now if it detected lying it would be great for conference calls, business talks, discussions with management etc. ... Well, for one side at least :)
March 8, 2006 10:39 AM
I can pretty much tell if someone is happy or sad when they are talking to me without using this flower
March 9, 2006 3:13 AM
I work in a Computer Lab and I deal with members of a community centre. If I could give one to each member it would certinly enlighten me on how to aproach the person who was requiring help.