Agent-augmented Co-Space: Toward merging of real world and cyberspace

• Main Authors: TAN, Ah-hwee, KANG, Yilin
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2010
• Subjects: Co-Space; Intelligent agents; virtual world; Artificial Intelligence and Robotics; Graphics and Human Computer Interfaces
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/6572
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Co-Space refers to interactive virtual environment modelled after the real world we are situated in. Through realistic 3D modelling and animation technologies, Co-Space simulates the real world in terms of look-and-feel of our physical surrounding. With the advancement in pervasive sensor network, Co-Space may also capture and mirror the happening in the physical world in real time. The development of Co-Space thus offers great opportunities for delivering innovative applications and services. Specifically, for enriching the experience of users in Co-Space, it is essential to incorporate knowledge facilities in the form of intelligent agents to enhance the interactivity and playability within. This paper will begin with a brief review of this emerging field of work related to agents in virtual worlds and integrated cognitive architectures. We then discuss the key requirement, issues and challenges in making Co-Space interactive and intelligent. Following the notion of embodied intelligence, we propose to develop cognitive agents, based on a family of self-organizing neural models, known as fusion Adaptive Resonance Theory (fusion ART). Our ultimate aim is to have such agents roaming freely in the landscape of Co-Space, developing an awareness of its surrounding and interacting with avatars of real human. As an illustration, a case study of our effort in building the Singapore Youth Olympic Village (YOV) Co-Space will be presented.