21:11:01
DAG creates Seonaid - The online presenter for Scotland's children

The technical and creative skills of Digital Animations Group (DAG) lie behind Seonaid, the virtual character unveiled this week by the Scottish Executive.

Seonaid - the Scottish Executive Online News And Information Distributor - embodies some of DAG's most advanced character animation technology and is set to become the new face of the Scottish Executive for the nation's schoolchildren as the presenter of the Junior Exec website www.scotland.gov.uk/jx/

Commissioned in August Digital Animations Group, pioneers in the development of virtual character technology, has been working in partnership with the Scottish Executive to create a character that makes government news more accessible and interesting to children. The result is a totally new learning tool which breaks new ground for any web-based information service.

Seonaid is almost human in her looks and expressions. Based on the style of Konnie Huq and Melanie Sykes she is young, universally appealing, confident, fun and intelligent. However, she is brought to life by DAG's unique system of real-time animation which means she is capable of delivering the very latest information - just like a real presenter.

In another first, Digital Animations has also created online studios and sets for Seonaid from which she will provide specially compiled bulletins and information of government procedures.

The Chief Executive Officer for DAG says:

"This has been a very exciting project. The great challenge with Seonaid was that we are dealing with a very discerning, Internet savvy audience. Children are very receptive to new ideas that break the mould but they can't be fooled.

"Our characters humanise the interaction between man and machine and Seonaid is our latest and most advanced creation. She is capable of delivering up to date news and information in an interactive environment that children can respond to. Because she looks and acts in such a human-way, they can relate to her. And because children learn so much more through interaction, she has the potential to have a huge impact on what children know and understand about our government.

"Working closely with The Scottish Executive I feel we have created a persona that will radically change perceptions about both politics and the delivery of online information."

Seonaid is a pioneer because she is capable of talking and reacting to the words she speaks in real-time. DAG's proprietary technologies co-ordinate Seonaid's lip synchronisation with natural face and body movement, emotional response and any idiosyncratic personality traits for instant delivery via the web. Operated under license, the software allows text to be marked up with a simple set of 'expression' or 'action' codes enabling Seonaid to deliver the news, word perfect - without the need for rehearsal - in a matter of seconds.

Building on this core technology, DAG is developing new virtual character software which incorporates artificial intelligence and voice and visual recognition systems, capable of working within business and leisure environments. As a result, the company is developing an incredibly powerful and flexible system for delivering information with an engaging human face.

The range of such human-computer interaction includes intelligent virtual assistants, synthespians for simultaneous TV and Internet broadcast and WAP companions, which will revolutionise the way we interact with our TV and PC screens and organise our lives.

He continues:

"Now, our development programme is advancing the underlying or proprietary technologies that create these characters and gives them a brain of their own. The reality is that it will not be long before we can develop intelligent user-friendly personalities, in a time frame that makes them a practical application for a variety of business uses.

"Seonaid is a pioneer. Very soon we can expect to see Seonaid and people like her in offices, hotels, supermarkets, even in our own homes, as receptionists, guides and personal assistants."

All enquiries, please contact:
Elizabeth Lambley or Martin Allen
Indigo (PR) Ltd
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