Preliminary results of a survey of nearby solar-type spectroscopic binaries (SB) with 1 < P1 < 30 days for tertiary companions are presented. Observations with adaptive optics and data from the 2MASS sky survey permitted to discover new tertiary components and to sharpen statistical limits on their frequency. We find that 0.86 ± 0.07 SBs with P1 < 5 d have tertiaries, but this fraction drops to...

Digital companions are embodied conversational agents (ECA). They communicate in natural spoken language and realize advanced and natural man-machine interactions. It is the main goal of such companions to provide not only functionality but also empathetic responding to the user's needs. In terms of etymology, the English term 'companion' 1 1 Webster's New World Dictionary (1970) defines compan...

This paper presents the findings of an empirical study that explores player game experience by implementing the ERiSA Framework in games. A study with Action Role-Playing Game (RPG) was designed to evaluate player interactions with game companions, who were imbued with social and emotional skill by the ERiSA Framework. Players had to complete a quest in the Skyrim game, in which players had to ...

We suggest that Jovian planets will survive the late stages of stellar evolution, and that white dwarfs will retain planetary systems in wide orbits (∼ 5 AU). Utilising evolutionary models for Jovian planets, we show that infra-red imaging with 8m class telescopes of suitable nearby white dwarfs should allow us to resolve and detect companions ∼ 3MJUP. Detection of massive planetary companions ...

Mobile technologies have the potential to enhance the lives of older adults, especially those who experience a decline in cognitive abilities. However, diminutive devices often perplex the aged and many HCI problems exist. This paper discusses the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to develop intelligent algorithms which will (a) govern how a mobile application adapts the design of ...

This study investigated the desirable characteristics of anthropomorphized learning-companion agents for college students. First, interviews with six undergraduates explored their concepts of desirable learning companions. The interviews yielded agent competency, agent personality, and interaction control. Next, a controlled experiment examined whether learner competency (strong vs. weak) would...