It’s become one of the Internet’s most-used tools,
and now Instant Messenger has been given a face thanks to Impersona,
innovative new client software developed by Melbourne-based Blaze
International.
Unlike bandwidth-intensive video streaming techniques, IMpersona uses
the power of the PC to animate a realistic 3D model of a face that speaks
the message, and therefore even works over a 28.8K modem connection.
Incoming messages are converted to audio by Microsoft's text-to-speech
engine, and facial movements are synchronised with the voice. The face
fidgets slightly when it isn't speaking, making it seem more lifelike.
The free software comes with a selection of photorealistic and fantasy
faces, but Blaze plans to sell a program that constructs a 3D model from a
digitised pair of full-face and profile photographs so your buddies can
see you as you are.
Other revenue opportunities
include sponsored faces (the likenesses of Ronald McDonald and KFC's
Colonel Saunders come to mind, though it's too late for One.Tel's Dude),
and advertising displayed onscreen by IMpersona. Blaze may resell another
company's high quality text-to-speech software as an enhancement.
On the commercial side, companies could use IMpersona to enhance their
branding when handling online enquiries through instant messaging. This
would be especially attractive to businesses such as AAMI that already use
a corporate face.
Even if MSN Messenger users don't want the speech and animation
features, they may use IMpersona anyway: "We think it's a better client
interface for MSN Messenger," said Dan Sullivan, director of business
development and strategic alliances, referring to features such as the
buttons that generate common emoticons. IMpersona faces respond to
incoming emoticons with the appropriate expressions.
Versions for AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo Messenger are planned.
The software is based on the company's facial animation technology
which has been used in the creation of movies such as the soon to be
released Lord of the Rings, animated TV series such as Max Steel, and
games including Star Trek Armada and Microsoft's forthcoming Bruce Lee
title for Xbox.
The technology is also used in web sites for 'talking head' situations
where pages of text do not keep the user's attention and bandwidth issues
rule out streaming video. A number of e-learning providers are considering
its use.
Blaze believes facial animation has potential for wireless applications
because of its low bandwidth requirement, but is awaiting the emergence of
a widely accepted platform. However, a recent trial conducted with
Ericsson using a Compaq iPaq and a GPRS connection achieved 15 frames per
second animation.
"We've got a low-cost development base in Melbourne, and some really
smart people in the back room," said sales and marketing director Zac
Jacobs.
"[IMpersona] is a springboard for greater recognition of our facial
animation tools."