Affectivas

Affectiva is a company that develops emotion detection technology. Founded in 2009, it initially emerged from research at MIT Media Lab. The company's core technology analyzes human emotions and facial expressions through computer vision, using artificial intelligence and machine learning. Affectiva's platform is designed to understand and interpret a range of human emotions, including joy, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, disgust, and contempt, as well as more nuanced states like engagement and cognitive load.

The technology works by analyzing video footage of faces, identifying key facial landmarks and micro-expressions. These are then processed by AI algorithms trained on vast datasets of human faces and their corresponding emotional states. Affectiva's products are primarily used for market research, advertising, and automotive safety. In market research, it helps brands understand how consumers react to content, products, and advertising. For advertisers, it offers insights into audience engagement and emotional response. In the automotive sector, Affectiva's technology is employed in driver monitoring systems to detect drowsiness, distraction, and emotional states that could impact driving safety. The company has also explored applications in areas like gaming and mental health.