From Fiction to Reality: Guile 3D Studio Introduces Denise, the Virtual Assistant

SAO PAULO, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This system developed by a Brazilian company combines computer graphics, artificial intelligence, voice recognition and other advanced technologies to perform the role of virtual secretary, governess or almost human interface for a variety of applications.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110418/SP82779 )

Guilherme arrives at the office and turns on his PC. The image of a woman appears on the screen and says to him:

• Denise: Good morning, Guilherme. Shall I read you your appointments today?
• Guilherme: Yes!
• Denise: You've got a 2:00 o'clock meeting with your marketing team, and a 5:00 o'clock with the development team.
• Guilherme: Denise, could you check to see if I have any new e-mails?
• Denise: Sure.  You've got 12 new e-mails. Shall I read them to you?
• Guilherme: Yes!
• Denise reads the new e-mails, stating who sent them and the subject.
• Guilherme: New document!
• Denise opens the word processing application and Guilherme starts typing a document.

The scene looks like something from a movie that takes place in the future, but it is a reality today. "Denise" is a virtual assistant with the appearance of a human being, whom the user can talk to and ask to perform tasks using natural language. The system, now available for sale over the Internet, was developed by a Brazilian company, the Curitiba-based Guile 3D Studio, using advanced computer graphics, integrated with artificial intelligence software, and voice recognition and synthesis in 46 languages as well as biometric systems. The dialogue above provides an example of Denise in action as a virtual secretary, but she can also be used in different roles.

"Denise is the first of a series of digital assistants. In addition to female characters, there will also be males and children, since the technology is intended for people of all ages. Other applications now being tested include a Virtual Nurse to keep children and elderly people company in hospitals, an assistant to interact with car computers, and for using at information kiosks at airports and shopping centers, self-service terminals and support systems, and automated call centers," says Guile Lindroth, director of Guile 3D Studio. He explains, moreover, that a special version is currently under development for handicapped individuals that will make it possible for them to control the computer using their voices and movements of the head and hands.

One example of how Denise can help in interactions between people and technology is in the role of a virtual governess at a hi-tech condominium in Sao Paulo, called Pinheiros Connections. Here she will be in charge of the interface between residents and automated residence services. "The residents will interact with Denise, who will receive voice commands in Portuguese and interpret them to perform a variety of different actions in apartments, such as turning lights on and off, playing music, announcing e-mails, controlling the alarm and even authorizing entrance into apartments using facial and digital recognition," says Lindroth.

Guile 3D Studio developed the software for Denise, the virtual assistant, based on its own 3D real time computer graphics and an artificial intelligence system, to provide any computer user with a more human way to interact with the machine, using voice recognition and natural language to perform everyday actions, such as checking email, latest news, personal appointments, and doing internet searches, getting spoken answers through text synthesis in a voice that is almost human.

Denise understands voice commands such as, "check my e-mails," "my schedule," "new document," "look for videos on the Internet," "movie schedules " or "play my songs." Using only voice commands, it is possible to control the playing of music and videos (starting, stopping, turning up or lowering the volume), as well as surfing the Internet. It is also possible to add and personalize voice commands for specific tasks.

In addition, a series of modules can be added to expand Denise's abilities, such as facial recognition (available soon), digital recognition, electronic secretary, language interpreter, Skype and MSN connection, simultaneous search on several different Web search engines, connection to GPS systems, residential automation or onboard car computers (Car PCs), among other things.

New modules under development should soon make possible integration with social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, with the new Microsoft Kinects device (that will allow users to operate their computers solely by gestures), and working with cell phones, smart phones and mobile devices. Voice recognition for dictation mode is one of the features soon to be made available to enable Denise to "write" documents and e-mails dictated by users.

The Denise the Virtual Assistant system is now for sale in English at the Guile 3D Studio site, at prices starting at US$ 100 for the most basic version (Premium) There are also two other versions, Platinum and Business, with additional features to deal with more specific needs.

Denise can even operate in computers with slower processors, such as netbooks and tablets. The minimum system requirements are: Celeron, Atom N280 or Pentium 4 (32 or 64 bits) processors, 1GB of RAM, 2GB hard drive, Windows XP, Vista or 7 operating system, Internet Explorer 7 or 8, and Windows Media Player 10 or 11. For more information about the virtual assistant and its characteristics, go to: www.guile3d.com.

About Guile 3D Studio – Founded in 2001 by Guile Lindroth, systems analyst, specialist in Artificial Intelligence and 3D graphic arts, Guile 3D Studio has been receiving financial support from a group of investors for a number of years to pursue the development of its own advanced and innovative technologies involving Artificial Intelligence and Real Time Graphics.  Today the company is setting world standards for Virtual and Digital Assistants, as well as its exclusive photo-realist interface in human form. The avatars are created by a talented team of 3D artists, designers and animators, and the Virtual Intelligence system was developed by systems analysts and specialists in natural language, in collaboration with a variety of scientists and universities all over the world. The first virtual assistant created by the company, in the form of an adult woman, was called "Denise," and is connected to speech, biometric and artificial intelligence systems, controlling different software and hardware modules under the user's command. For more information about Guile 3D Studio, please go to: www.guile3d.com.

Contact:
Tales Rocha
Rosa Arrais Comunicacao
Phone.: +011-55-11-3672-3531
Cell: +011-55-11-7557-9519
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Guile 3D Studio