Sympathetic interfaces: Using a plush toy to direct synthetic characters

  • Michael Patrick Johnson
  • , Andrew Wilson
  • , Bruce Blumberg
  • , Christopher Kline
  • , Aaron Bobick

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

87 Scopus citations

Abstract

We introduce the concept of a sympathetic inter$ace for controlling an animated synthetic character in a 3D virtual environment. A plush doll embedded with wireless sensors is used to manipulate the virtual character in an iconic and intentional manner. The interface extends from the novel physical input device through interpretation of sensor data to the behavioral "brain" of the virtual character. We discuss the design of the interface and focus on its latest instantiation in the Swamped! exhibit at SIGGRAPH '98. We also present what we learned from hundreds of casual users, who ranged from young children to adults.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI'99
Pages152-158
Number of pages7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
EventSIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1999 - Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Duration: May 15 1999May 20 1999

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

ConferenceSIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1999
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPittsburgh, PA
Period05/15/9905/20/99

Keywords

  • Physically-based interface
  • Plush toy
  • Sympathetic interface
  • Synthetic characters
  • Virtual worlds

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sympathetic interfaces: Using a plush toy to direct synthetic characters'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this