Introductory description

Affective Computing is the inter-disciplinary study and development of systems that can recognise and interpret human affects (emotion). Information gathered from various sensors (e.g., video camera, speech detector and electroencephalogram (EEG)) are processed to recognise the appropriate affect responses.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Theoretical underpinnings of affective computing from an interdisciplinary perspective encompassing the affective, cognitive, social, media, and brain sciences.
Affect recognition from facial expressions, body language, speech, physiology, contextual features, and multimodal combinations of these modalities.
Applications of affective computing in human-robot interactions, unobtrusive deception detection and health monitoring.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Integrate theories from multiple disciplines (Computer Science / Engineering / Psychology) in order to explain the main concepts of affective computing.
• Evaluate and implement the principles of automated facial expression recognition.
• Analyse and implement the principles of automated body language recognition
• Examine the principles of physiology for affective computing.
• Critique the applications of affective computing in human-robot interactions, unobtrusive deception detection and health monitoring.

Indicative reading list

Calvo RA, D’Mellor SK, Gratch J, Kappas A (Eds), The Oxford Handbook of Affective Computing, Oxford University Press, 2015, ISBN: 9780199942237.
Peter C, Beale R (Eds), Affect and Emotion in Human Computer Interaction: From Theory to Applications, Springer, 2008, ISBN: 9783540850984.
Picard R, Affective Computing, MIT Press, 2000, ISBN: 9780262661157.

Subject specific skills

1. Ability to conceive, make and realise a component, product, system or process.

2. Ability to be pragmatic, taking a systematic approach and the logical and practical
   steps necessary for, often complex, concepts to become reality.

3. Ability to seek to achieve sustainable solutions to problems and have strategies for
   being creative and innovative.

Transferable skills

1. Numeracy: apply mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimize solutions.

2. Apply problem solving skills, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities.

3. Ability to formulate and operate within appropriate codes of conduct, when faced with
   an ethical issue.

4. Appreciation of the global dimensions of engineering, commerce and communication.