Cooperation and flexibility in multimodal communication

Abstract

This chapter discusses cooperation in communication, with a view to future cooperative human-computer interfaces. First, cooperation and multimodal communication are defined and characterized. It is then proposed that cooperation can be extended into a notion of ‘mutual flexibility’ and this notion is subsequently characterized. In a following section, an empirical study of how verbal and nonverbal gestural means are used to achieve flexibility are presented. Finally, some possible implications for the design of future interactive systems are mentioned.