1. What we learn about technology from people living with dementia
Jim Ang
Panote Siriaraya
School of Engineering and Digital Arts
University of Kent

2. Jim Ang Game and virtual world enthusiast Email junky
Dream about uploading my conscious to the net
Lecturer in multimedia and digital systems
Backgrounds in human computer interaction/man-machine interaction

3. Panote Siriaraya
Background in Human-Computer Interaction with an emphasis on designing technology to support aging
Likes to build and program stuff
(web app, simulators for rescue robots and recently virtual worlds)
Research Associate at University of Kent

4. The project Funded by EPSRC for 13 months (from Oct 2012)
In collaboration with Silverfit and Avante care homes in UK and the Netherlands
AgeUK and Society Alzheimer’s Society

5. Care homes

6. Dementia

7. 3D virtual worlds Aim: Why virtual ?
How can 3D virtual worlds be designed to support older people (in the care environment) and carers
Why virtual ?
Access to certain objects which may be otherwise not accessible physically
Able to (in principle) visit any locations
Potentially cheaper and safer than physical activity

8. Natural user interface
Interaction with 3D virtual worlds is complex
No straightforward mapping between 2D interaction devices (keyboard and mouse) to 3D space.
Gesture-based interaction
Kinect
Leap motion
We had the idea that instead of using the normal mouse and keyboard, that we would use some kind of gesture based interaction technology instead. Basically, moving around in a 3D space is hard. What normally happens, if you play these kind of 3D games is if you want to do something like say pick up an apple, you have to press the buttons in your keyboard or mouse and move your character, turn left , turn right and go through that complex interaction to move your character to the apple and then press another button to pick it up.
So we felt that it would not be so straightforward to learn to map these kind of 2D interactions to a 3D space for older people. So in the end, we decided to use gesture interaction, specifically the Microsoft Kinect which had just been released.

9. Prototype 1

10. Prototype 1

11. Initial observations
Residents were disoriented and confused when using the virtual room
They were unable to associate their actions with the on screen avatar
The “picking up objects” system was confusing
Avatar’s hand went through the table
giving them complete interactivity freedom (just do whatever you want and the avatar will reflect this) is not supported by Kinect yet.

12. Prototype 2

13. Prototype 2

14. Prototype 3

15. Lesson learnt about virtual world technology for dementia
They love technology!
The experience of virtual worlds could help in the recovery of self through place-based reminiscence
Safe and expressive virtual wonderland
Virtual worlds could provide a “sanctuary” to maintain the continuity of self

16. Muscle memory
Visual, audio memory – used a lot in reminiscence therapy
Research has suggested that the ways in which we think is an extension of our existence as embodied minds. The way we think is driven by our physical motions, which in turn drive the way that we think.
Triggering muscle memory with gesture interaction ?

17. Presence
For virtual world to be effective, users should be able to suspend their disbelief and maintain the illusion that the alternative
almost all residents were able to see the projected screen as a place they were situated in and perceive themselves as actually performing the activity

18. Tangible user interface/physical computing
Although these prototypes worked for many residents, they didn’t work for those with a more severe condition
Touch appeared important!
Internet of things / ubiquitous computers
Linking physical to virtual

19. Let the experimentation begin!

20. Linking to physical world

21. Linking to physical world

22. Day-to-day objects as interaction devices

23. Day-to-day objects as interaction devices
NFC

24. Lesson learnt about (virtual world) technology
Our interaction with technology focuses too much audio and visual – what about physical touch?
Virtual world technology should not just be “virtual.” It can include a physical element
Fully immersive vs mixed reality

25. virtual coordinator