Embodied conversational agents for voice-biometric interfaces

Resumen

In this article we present a research scheme which aims to analyze the use of Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) technology to improve the robustness and acceptability of speaker enrolment and verification dialogues designed to provide secure access through natural and intuitive speaker recognition. In order to find out the possible effects of the visual information channel provided by the ECA, tests were carried out in which users were divided into two groups, each interacting with a different interface (metaphor): an ECA Metaphor group -with an ECA-, and a VOICE Metaphor group -without an ECA-. Our evaluation methodology is based on the ITU-T P.851 recommendation for spoken dialogue system evaluation, which we have complemented to cover particular aspects with regard to the two major extra elements we have incorporated: secure access and an ECA. Our results suggest that likeability-type factors and system capabilities are perceived more positively by the ECA metaphor users than by the VOICE metaphor users. However, the ECA’s presence seems to intensify users’ privacy concerns.