Chatterbox – cutting the cost of police translations

A leading games-based learning solutions provider has developed an innovative product that aims to cut the cost of police translations and be utilised as an informative and educational tool throughout the service. Serious Games International Ltd (SGIL) based in Coventry has developed a prototype 3D computer-generated character Chatterbox™ to act as the ‘voice and face’ of the organisation.
 
The avatar can be programmed in multiple languages and specific data, which is a cost-effective and innovative solution when dealing with translations and timely procedures. Knowledge can also be added by a search engine which enables the avatar to search a company’s database or the internet.

Chatterbox can build additional knowledge over time by using its artificial intelligence and responding to the input of customers, employees or guests. Chatterbox has a number of possibilities in the police and security sectors, including a virtual greeter or receptionist, virtual inquiry officer, virtual immigration officer, virtual customs and excise or a virtual translator.

The development of this innovative product comes at a time when it has been revealed that West Midlands Police was spending £7,000 a day for interpreters to deal with rising numbers of foreign crime suspects. New figures show the force paid an astonishing £202,000 in just one month to Applied Language Solutions to provide the linguists.

Tim Luft, former director of the Centre for Urban Intelligence and the Serious Games Institute, is confident that Chatterbox can make a real impact in this market.

He explained: “Chatterbox” is an effective solution for receiving and conveying information and by programming this in various languages, it can be an extremely useful device when dealing with arrest procedures. The prototype can be programmed with key questions and answers which makes it easier for the police officer to communicate to the person under arrest in their language. In addition, it is also a valuable tool as an information point or inquiry officer; the possibilities are endless.”

Police and security are key markets for SGIL and Mr Luft said: “Police and security sectors are increasingly realising the important role that games-based applications have to play in creating effective training programmes for employees, corporate simulations and innovative methods of obtaining and distributing information. Applying gameplay techniques has proved to be an effective means of conveying information that engages users more fully and increases their knowledge retention.”

Chatterbox is one of a range of products that Serious Games International (SGIL) has developed that will benefit the police and security sector. Others include: 

Me Myself and I (MM&I) – an award-winning holistic approach to support planning, consultation and advice through an innovative game. This can be used for drink-driving and bail procedures, arrest procedures, knowing your rights and health and safety. MM&I puts the individual at the heart of the support planning process and the results of the game can be used to pre-populate support planning paperwork.

Virtual Environments – a world of stunning 3D high-fidelity landscapes, architectures and environments which can be used for surveillance of sensitive areas, including military, city centres, urban and rural environments, airport terminals and retail centres.

Data Presentation – video is blended with graphics, data and sound to create a home for digital archives that is engaging, user-friendly and interesting.  

Dialz Technology – a bespoke software program and user interface that communicates via WiFi. Access a wide range of data relating to the performance of your car, including average speed, oil pressure, water temperature, throttle position and exhaust temperature. This technology has been used in the Nissan Juke car. 

Imagine – for games-based police/security driver training or monitoring driver behaviour.  <