1. Synthetic Agents that Speak and Listen Talking with Highbrow Avatars on Your Cell Phone Prof. Matthew Nickerson, Southern Utah University

2. Automated Audio Tours Analog Digital Audio cassette player Audio CD Player Digital audio player Multimedia player

3. Research issues Frustration and complications Player damage, loss, or theft. Patron anxiety Updates and changes Outdoor venues can be problematic. Patrons with limited mobility.

4. Automated Audio Tours Analog Digital Audio cassette player Audio CD Player Digital audio player Multimedia player B Y O P

5. Voice Extensible Markup Language Web Server VXML Digital Sound Content Voice / Telephony Gateway User Cell Phone VXML is an XML-based markup language designed specifically to implement interactive voice dialogs.

6. Historical photograph exhibit A gallery exhibit featuring historic photographs covering 100 years of theater history in Cedar City, Utah. 1900-2000

7. Benefits to developer Low upfront costs, start slow No check out/in, maintenance, personnel Easily updated Real-time usage statistics Powerful evaluation tool

8. Benefits to users Familiar device No check-in or collateral required Avoid hygiene concerns BYOD

9. Platform? Do it yourself Work with a Vendor

10. Partner with a vendor Web Server VXML Digital Sound Content Voice / Telephony Gateway User Cell Phone

11. Bridging Worldwide Networks TELEPHONY INTERNET User Cell Phone Web Server - VXML Digital Sound Content Voice Server

12. Built in VXML tools Voice or DTMF input Prerecorded or computer generated output Audio system event handlers Interrupt Capture audio input

13. Multiple Languages

14. Virtual conversation A gallery exhibit featuring historic photographs covering 100 years of local theater history, 1900-2000.

15. Building Synthetic Agents Voice or DTMF input Prerecorded or computer generated output Audio system event handlers Interrupt Capture audio input

16. Limiting Response Options Ask questions Do you want to know more about General Lee? What artistic period are you interested in? What area are you currently exploring?

17. Limiting Response Options Create grammars “new york” new york “new york” new york city “new york” big apple Ask questions

18. Limiting Response Options Ask questions Point of contact GEOGRAPHY PROXIMITY SUBJECT Create grammars

19. Location, location, location WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth

20. Challenges to Cultural Heritage Applications… and others Current policies Photography Limiting phone calls/conversations No speaker phones, please! Reception

21. Choosing a voice Battle of the sexes among synthetic agents and avatars BMW, Unisys, GMVoices

22. Modulated human voice… ? Some swear that synthetic agents are better… others just swear. Clifford Nass, Stanford University; Sprint PCS

23. Nuance in “virtual” conversation Affective interpretation of metaphorical utterances Catherine Smith, et al. School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham

24. … and still more to come.