InterPointer: speech-driven embodied entrainment pointer system

InterActor is the speech-driven embodied entrainment character for activating human interaction and communication by embodied rhythms between speech and body motions such as nodding in human face-to-face conversation. In this paper, a new speech-driven embodied entrainment pointer system "InterPointer" is proposed for supporting embodied interaction and communication for both a lecturer and audiences. InterPointer is a pointing device with a visualized response equivalent to nodding in the same tinning as InterActor to speech input In addition, two kinds of InterPointer with a different reaction are developed. One is "Stick-type InterPointer" in which the LED is flashed to a color that is red or green by nodding timing. And another is "Laser-type InterPointer" in which the beam pattern is changed from a point to an oval by nodding timing. A lecturer and audiences can enjoy good presentation, because they can share embodied rhythms and feel the sense of unity by using InterPointer that feeds back a typical nodding reaction.