From: Mike Bevan Subject: CONF: VIRTUAL HUMANS 3 Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 21:38:52 +0000 I'm currently working on the detailed program for Virtual Humans 3 (Universal City Hilton, Los Angeles, June 16-18 1998). The emerging structure is set out below, and I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has relevant work they'd like to present. I aim to complete the program within the next couple of weeks. One explanatory comment. We ran parallel sessions last year at VH2, to pack in as much as we could. This was *not* popular - just about everyone wanted to attend just about every session. The feedback was that we should continue into the evenings on the first two days to increase the number of sessions, so that's what we're going to do. The VR NEWS web site (www.vrnews.com) will be getting a long-overdue upgrade shortly, including our full 1998 event program. Mike Bevan Editor - VR NEWS VIRTUAL HUMANS 3 DAY 1: Tuesday 16th June Keynote Speech: Prof. Norm Badler Session 1: morning THE VIRTUAL CATWALK Moderator: Prof. Nadia Magnenat Thalmann The latest developments in clothing simulation, including a mannequin parade presented by Prof. Thalmann. Session 2: afternoon FUTURE WORLDS Moderator: Bernie Roehl In addition to demonstrating the latest on-line communities and avatar authoring tools, the speakers will look ahead a little to what kind of functionality and performance might be available over the next year or so. Session 3: early evening BIRTH OF THE METABORG Moderator: Prof. Frank Biocca Prof. Biocca is exploring the idea of creating a 'Metaborg Consortium' with the objective (a) of promoting, supporting and augmenting emerging standards for the development, interoperability, and usability of virtual humans, and (b) of assembling, testing and demonstrating composite virtual humans constructed using such standards. MASTER CLASS 1: 6-7 pm - DIALOG SYNTHESIS State of the art in speech input/output technology, chatterbots, etc. (I'm looking for a suitably qualified presenter) SESSION 4: evening PARTY TIME Moderator: Linda Jacobson The main evening activity will be a dinner in the conference hall, starting at 7.30 and finishing around 10.30. Session 4 will run from 8.30-10.30, covering the latest v-humans developments in film, TV and games, and should be a lot of fun. DAY 2: Wednesday 17th June SESSION 5: morning DIGITAL KIDNAPPING? Moderator: Prof Joe Beard The whole subject of ownership of Virtual Human components has some very interesting legal implications . . . 12 am to 2 pm will be exhibit viewing time. SESSION 6: early afternoon THE WORKERS Moderator: Prof. Norm Badler The latest developments in ergonomic humanoids and industrial applications. Master Class 2: FACIAL ANIMATION Session 7: evening WHAT NEXT? Moderator: Prof. Daniel Thalmann This is intended to be an intellectually stimulating post-dinner and pre-party session, comprising some of the leading edge research work in areas such as autonomous avatar interaction, body language and gesture recognition, etc. DAY 3: Thursday 18th June Session 8: morning AUTONOMOUS AGENTS Moderator: tba 12 am to 2 pm - exhibit viewing period. Session 9: afternoon ARE WE MAKING MONEY YET? Moderator: tba Virtual humans are beginning to get out into the marketplace in a variety of applications, but who's making any money, what are the potential killer apps, and when's it all going to take off? A round-table discussion.