"We make things empathic" — this is the mission of the Munich-based startup TAWNY. This may sound strange at first, but we wanted to know from Dr. Michael Bartl, CEO of TAWNY, why it could still be exciting if machines possessed emotional intelligence.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
We are Tawny and we make things empathetic. Imagine you were a machine and knew how your user felt – what would you do? Things are becoming increasingly intelligent, but a key component that would significantly improve human-machine interaction, for example, is missing. Unlike humans, smart things currently lack emotional intelligence and cannot respond to communication and actions that are emotionally driven.
TAWNY AI is developing a technology that detects and classifies human emotions, affective states, and other mental states based on their psychophysiological vital parameters. These can then be communicated to smart products, services, and the environment. These can respond accordingly and empathetically through the "TAWNY AI-as-a-Service" offering.
For example, the service could provide answers about when someone is working in flow or when it's appropriate to speak of over- or under-challenge. Empathetic safety systems could also be used in cars, airplanes, or trains, since 60% of all road traffic accidents are due to human error.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
No, not yet in this way. We specialize in analyzing emotions and affective states using psychophysiological data—an area that hasn't been sufficiently researched even in science. While we also work with other methods, such as those based on facial recognition or text analysis, these are somewhat more widespread and therefore not our top priority at the moment.
3. Keyword data protection – does this also play a role in the data you collect?
This is an extremely important topic that we are considering on many levels—technical, organizational, but also ethical. We have an extremely interesting but also powerful technology. We are aware of this responsibility.
4. What has been your biggest challenge so far? And what have been your most important milestones?
The biggest challenge so far is and remains communicating the current and future potential of our technology to customers in such a way that they understand that they need to be part of it now. Many companies are still in their infancy when it comes to AI and are therefore having a difficult time with a technology that will change so much in the field of AI.
Most important milestones: building the team, Digicon Award, TAWNY Emotion Diary app launch and the scientific experiments as proof of concept.
5. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
As an early-stage B2B startup, we unfortunately can't yet boast impressive figures. However, we have taken some important steps in recent months to get well-known companies excited about our technology and convince them to participate in pilot projects with us. These references, in turn, make it easier for us to talk to additional partners.
6. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich, known as the Bavarian Silicon Valley, not only has a lot to offer economically and is considered one of the most dynamic economic regions in Europe, but it also offers startups excellent conditions, industry structures, and economic infrastructure for rapid growth. But let's be honest, Munich is also the most beautiful city for miles around. We all live in Munich or grew up in the surrounding area and always associate Munich with a sense of home and identity.
7. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
We are convinced that the vision we are working on will significantly shape our future world. Our entire world will become "smart." But smart things that are meant to work with and for people must understand them. This will only work through the ability to empathize. So the question is whether TAWNY will be one of the major players in this field, and to answer yes, we are working hard on our product every day. At the same time, we naturally need the support of companies – especially here in the Munich area – that dare to be innovative and want to help shape the world of tomorrow instead of always chasing the tech giants from Silicon Valley.
