Olivia is an avatar! Things may not be much clearer now, but this is just the beginning. According to Wikipedia, “in computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user,[…] a two-dimensional form such as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities”.
Hence Olivia is the image chosen by Donne dell’Olio to speak about oil. Technically known as a “conversational agent” or “dialogue system”, it makes it possible to converse with a bottle of olive oil.
Olivia, created by the ironic friend and artist Valerio Marini, is simply an image transmitted by a QR code which will be positioned on the rear labels of olive oil produced by the members of Donne dell’Olio, which will assist the consumers, answering their questions, clearing any doubts or queries regarding the product.
The QR code can be scanned by any mobile phone or smartphone equipped with a specific programme (a QR reader). You will only have to position your smartphone over the code and as soon as Olivia appears you can ask her a variety of questions such as: “Does oil have an expiry date?” “What does monocultivar mean?” “What is free acidity?”. Olivia is only a prototype and although she is rapidly evolving, her language is still developing. Stay tuned!
