Virtual Conversations^® FAQ

What is Virtual Conversation^® technology?

Virtual Conversations™ programs combine digital video and voice recognition technology to allow the user to engage in a dialogue with a virtual human subject using spoken language. IDI patented this process in 1991 (U.S. Patent #5,006,987).

How does Virtual Conversations^® technology work?

Users conduct virtual dialogues with video subjects—real people—by speaking into a microphone attached to the computer.  The user asks a question and the character responds, and a face-to-face dialogue ensues.  The programs have an Intelligent Scrolling Prompts feature which provides relevant questions for the user to ask.  Virtually everyone reports that the dialogue experience is “like talking to the real person.”  The believability and educational effectiveness of these programs have been established through field tests conducted at institutions of higher learning, both locally and nationally.

How much does it cost to produce a Virtual Conversations^® program?

Development costs vary depending on such things as how much video is in the program, how complicated the interactive dialogue is, what features the program requires (e.g., feedback, multiple-choice tests, scoring, etc.), and how many products will be distributed. For more information on this, please contact us at info@idrama.com

Does Virtual Conversations^® technology run on a Macintosh?

At this time, the programs are PC compatible and do not run on Apples.

As part of its research and development, IDI routinely conducts scientifically controlled field tests of new Virtual Conversations™ applications. The majority of test subjects report that they feel like they’ve talked to a real person. In addition, these experiments have proven that this method produces statistically significant learning gain and a positive attitude shift after a single exposure to the program.

What are the minimum system requirements?

For most cases: