uTalk, iShop
This project is an online shopping website (called Surprise Me) that allows users shop online, vocally. The uniqueness of this project stems from the fact that shoppers will not be required to use their keyboard or mouse while shopping (although that option will be available). The shopper will request for actions to be carried out on the site and an avatar (referred to as the sales host) displayed on the screen will carry them out. For example, the shopper may say to the avatar “go to the next page” and the avatar will respond saying “here is the next page”, while the next page comes up. Although this project aims at enhancing convenience for physically impaired individuals while shopping online, it also reaches out to other people; this includes able-bodied individuals and indecisive people (i.e. people who are unsure of what to buy). The value of this project can be seen in its convenience, attractiveness and ease of use.
There are four main aspects of this project: designing the website, designing the avatar, understanding shoppers’ commands and emitting responses by the avatar. While designing the technical aspect of this project, we must keep in mind that everything will be implemented on the website.