The Marketing Minute: The First Step to More Sales—Marketing
It’s Only Common Sense: Customer Service Is Sales in Disguise
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘Dream First, Details Later
Humanoid Robotics and Computer Avatars
April 12, 2016 | University of BristolEstimated reading time: 1 minute
A collaborative research team has found humanoid robotics and computer avatars could help rehabilitate people suffering from social disorders such as schizophrenia or social phobia. It is thanks to the theory of similarity, which suggests that it is easier to interact socially with someone who looks, behaves or moves like us.
Researchers from the University of Bristol, in collaboration with colleagues at the Universities of Exeter, Montpellier and Naples Federico II, have developed a system to enable a robot or computer avatar to interact with a patient whilst playing a version of the mirror game, in which two players try to copy each other’s motion whilst playing with coloured balls that can move horizontally on a string.
The paper, part of the EU-funded AlterEgo project, is published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.
Initially the avatar is like an alter ego, created to look and move like the patient to enhance his or her feelings of attachment. Over time the avatar is slowly altered to become less similar, therefore helping with social rehabilitation.
The results show that players sharing similar movement features, or motor signature, interact and co-ordinate better. This can be used for rehabilitation of patients with serious social disorders as an avatar can be created to act like an alter ego, programmed to look and move like the patient to enhance his or her feelings of attachment.
Mario di Bernardo, Professor of Nonlinear Systems and Control from the Department of Engineering Mathematics at the University of Bristol, said: “It is very challenging to build an avatar that is intelligent enough to synchronise its motion with a human player, but our initial results are very exciting.”
The research used the principles of dynamical systems and feedback control theory to embed the avatar with enough ‘intelligence’ to synchronise and respond to the motion of the human player.
The researchers now wish to build on the technology and set-up multiple human-machine interaction for social rehabilitation and make groups of people and avatars interact with each other to perform joint tasks together.
Share on:
Suggested Items
It’s Only Common Sense: Selling to Today's Generation of Buyers
06/30/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseMillennials and Gen Z hold significant purchasing power and influence in industries worldwide. Selling to them requires adapting to their unique preferences, behaviors, and values, and exploring their buying habits, embracing their emphasis on social values, and mastering digital communication. Unlike previous generations, they prioritize experiences, sustainability, and value.
It’s Only Common Sense: Trust Is All You Need
06/02/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseTrust is all you need, and the best way to build it is by showing that others have placed their faith in you. This is where social proof becomes a game-changer. Social proof is a psychological phenomenon that influences people to follow others’ actions, especially in uncertain situations. By leveraging social proof, businesses can attract customers and close deals more efficiently. Here’s how to incorporate social proof into your strategy and watch your closing rate soar.
Global Citizenship: Understanding Global Citizenship as a Competitive Advantage
05/21/2025 | Tom Yang -- Column: Global CitizenshipTo succeed, we must find ways to work together. In an era of interconnected markets, heightened social awareness, and increasing corporate accountability, global citizenship is a powerful differentiator for businesses. No longer is success solely defined by revenue growth. The perception of a company’s ethics, sustainability initiatives, and inclusivity practices significantly influences its market position.
The Marketing Minute: Strategic Short-form Content Builds Brand Momentum
04/17/2025 | Brittany Martin -- Column: The Marketing MinuteLast month, I shared how long-form content—like white papers, technical articles, and thought leadership pieces—can establish your company as a knowledgeable, trusted voice in the electronics industry. Long-form content is powerful, but it’s only half the equation. If long-form is the foundation, short-form content is the fuel that keeps your brand top-of-mind and your message moving.
The Marketing Minute: Go Big or Go Home—Long-form Content Is Your Brand’s Best Friend
03/26/2025 | Brittany Martin -- Column: The Marketing MinuteIn a world of 280-character posts and blink-or-you’ll-miss-it social media content, long-form content might seem outdated. But if you want to build a brand people trust—not just recognize—you need depth. The key is producing longer content—articles, white papers, and books.