HCI research on character control

Ali Etemad’s human-computer interaction research uses machine learning, pattern recognition, artificial intelligence and computer vision, along with perceptual and psychological methods to model and analyze human motion focusing on stylistic and affective behaviour. The goal is to examine whether gesture-based computer games can use the information embedded in our movements to figure out when and how to adjust the game’s level of difficulty, the course of the game or even lighting and music.

Etemad is working onhis doctorate in electrical and computer engineering under the supervision of Ali Arya.

“Our research is intended for character control in animated movies and video games as well as extraction of information from motion patterns,” says Etemad. “So in addition to multimedia applications, it could also have an impact on surveillance systems to help recognize and track suspects.”

Etemad says he enjoys the freedom of his program: “The Department of Systems and Computer Engineering and the School of Information Technology aren’t confined to classical definitions of computer engineering. The school is very multidisciplinary and is involved with different fields such as human-computer interaction, networks, photonics and laser.”