Multi modal user interaction in an automatic pool trainer

This paper presents the human-computer interaction in an automatic pool trainer currently being developed at the Center for PersonKommunikation, Aalborg University. The aim of the system is to automate (parts of) the learning process, in this case of the game of pool. The automated pool trainer (APT) utilises multi modal, agent driven user-system communication, to facilitate the user interaction. To allow the user the necessary freedom of movement when addressing the task, system output is presented on a wall-mounted screen and is augmented by a laser drawing lines and points directly on the pool table surface. User interaction is either carried out via a spoken dialogue with an animated interface agent, or by using a touch screen panel. The paper describes the philosophy on which the system is designed, as well as the system architecture and individual modules. The user interaction is described and the paper concludes with a presentation of some test results and a discussion of the suitability of the presented and similar systems.