Abstract
Introduction: Avatars are becoming more common in virtual reality, used as a guide, teacher, companion, or mentor through immersive experiences. Special attention needs to be paid to their design to ensure credibility and working alliance, to allow for the optimal delivery of behavior change content.
Methods: We present a new embodied Semi-Autonomous Mentoring Intelligence (SAMI) avatar used in an immersive virtual reality intervention for the self-management of chronic pain. We discuss the research findings that were taken into consideration and guided the design and development of SAMI, such methods to promote working alliance with non-human agents, optimal characteristics of non-human agents, and features of effective “automation”.
Conclusion: We provide a table of considerations and recommendations for researchers involved in designing future virtual reality characters. We provide suggestions on how future research could advance SAMI further for use in pain management and related interventions.
Methods: We present a new embodied Semi-Autonomous Mentoring Intelligence (SAMI) avatar used in an immersive virtual reality intervention for the self-management of chronic pain. We discuss the research findings that were taken into consideration and guided the design and development of SAMI, such methods to promote working alliance with non-human agents, optimal characteristics of non-human agents, and features of effective “automation”.
Conclusion: We provide a table of considerations and recommendations for researchers involved in designing future virtual reality characters. We provide suggestions on how future research could advance SAMI further for use in pain management and related interventions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 882980 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Virtual Reality |
| Volume | 3 |
| Early online date | 7 Jul 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 7 Jul 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This project was funded by Orion Corporation and has also received support from Business Finland, the Finnish government organization for innovation funding and trade, travel, and investment promotion.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 Bartlett, Fisher, Liikkanen, Turunen, Skog and Eccleston.
Keywords
- autonomous agent
- mentor
- pain
- rehabilitation
- virtual reality
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
- Computer Science Applications
- Human-Computer Interaction