Reflecting emotion

Other projects in this space

Philips Rationalizer

Watch the video by clicking on this link. Sorry, I could not embed the video due to domain restrictions.

The bracelet monitors arousal levels. The more aroused the user is the more dynamic the patterns displayed both on the band and the bowl.

There is no details on how it works but it would possibly use galvanic skin response and/or pulse.

From the Philips webpage, the rationalizer:

The Rationalizer acts as an ‘emotion mirror’ that reflects the intensity of the user’s feelings.

The system consists of two components, the EmoBracelet and the EmoBowl. The bracelet measures the arousal component of the user’s emotion which is indicated via a dynamic light pattern on either the EmoBracelet itself or on the EmoBowl. If emotions are running high the more intense the dynamic light pattern becomes, alerting the user that it may be wise to take a time-out and re-consider their actions.

The interesting element is the reflection back to the user of their arousal state which, in this context, is being considered ‘stress levels’.

Reflect

Khaled Bachour, Frédéric Kaplan and Pierre Dillenbourg

Read the paper by clicking on this link

Reflect presents the contribution of participants to a conversation. It aims to ensure that there is balance in contribution from the participants. A visual display is used (visible to all participants) that indicates how much a person speaks. The researchers found that, in certain conditions, Reflect lead to more balanced contributions.

It is particularly interesting as it ‘detects’ mood based on speech analysis.