Decipher Facial Expressions With These Social X-Ray Glasses
Souzan Michael — July 11, 2011 — Tech
References: newscientist & jezebel
Considering the previous popularity of mood rings, scientists are working on a similar but much more advanced version of this concept with these new, high-tech social x-ray glasses. The glasses apparently read other people's expressions and transmit the information to the wearer through audio and video communication.
Using a small camera that's built into them, the social x-ray glasses decipher someone's facial expressions and recognizes whether they are "interested," "disagreeing," or "confused." They even go a step further and come equipped with a red light that goes off when it's time for the glasses-wearer to stop talking if his conversation partner appears angry.
Here's the coolest part: scientists have tried these glasses out on people with autism, who often have trouble identifying expressions. The results were impressive and some of the subjects demonstrated improved expression recognition even after they took the glasses off.
When it comes to people without autism, scientists discovered that the average person picks up on about 54% of others' expressions. With these glasses on, they picked up on about 64%.
Using a small camera that's built into them, the social x-ray glasses decipher someone's facial expressions and recognizes whether they are "interested," "disagreeing," or "confused." They even go a step further and come equipped with a red light that goes off when it's time for the glasses-wearer to stop talking if his conversation partner appears angry.
Here's the coolest part: scientists have tried these glasses out on people with autism, who often have trouble identifying expressions. The results were impressive and some of the subjects demonstrated improved expression recognition even after they took the glasses off.
When it comes to people without autism, scientists discovered that the average person picks up on about 54% of others' expressions. With these glasses on, they picked up on about 64%.
Trend Themes
1. Facial Expression Reading Technology - The development of new technologies that can read facial expressions and emotions could lead to innovative solutions in fields like mental health, education, and marketing.
2. Assistive Augmented Reality Devices - Augmented reality glasses and devices designed to assist those with disabilities could be further developed with advanced facial expression recognition technology like that used in the social x-ray glasses.
3. Gamification of Emotional Learning - The use of gamification techniques in educational digital media featuring expressiveness and training the recognition of emotions could be enhanced with facial expression reading tools and devices.
Industry Implications
1. Mental Health Care - Facial expression-reading technology could help diagnose and treat mental health conditions that affect a person's ability to accurately recognize and respond to emotions.
2. Education - Facial expression-reading technology could aid in the development of educational tools and techniques that improve emotional learning and communication skills.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Marketers and advertisers could use facial expression-reading technology to better understand consumer response and engagement with their products and messaging.
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