Natural Interaction between Avatars and Persons with Alzheimer's Disease

  • Authors:

  • Eduardo Carrasco;Gorka Epelde;Aitor Moreno;Amalia Ortiz;Igor Garcia;Cristina Buiza;Elena Urdaneta;Aitziber Etxaniz;Mari Feli González;Andoni Arruti

  • Affiliations:

  • VICOMTech, San Sebastian, Spain 20006;VICOMTech, San Sebastian, Spain 20006;VICOMTech, San Sebastian, Spain 20006;VICOMTech, San Sebastian, Spain 20006;VICOMTech, San Sebastian, Spain 20006;INGEMA, San Sebastian, Spain 20002;INGEMA, San Sebastian, Spain 20002;INGEMA, San Sebastian, Spain 20002;INGEMA, San Sebastian, Spain 20002;Department of Computer Architecture and Technology, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain 20018

  • Venue:
  • ICCHP '08 Proceedings of the 11th international conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs
  • Year:
  • 2008

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

In this paper a natural human computer interaction paradigm is proposed for persons with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's Disease. The paradigm consists of using a realistic virtual character, rendered on a common television set, to play the role of a virtual personal assistant that shows reminders, notifications and performs short dialogues with the user. In this paradigm, the television remote control is used as a return channel to capture the user's responses. To test this concept, a functional prototype was built and then validated by a group of 21 persons with Alzheimer's Disease ranging from mild to moderate. For this validation two simple dialogues were developed that consisted of simple Yes/No type questions. The test results showed that with both dialogues all users engaged naturally with the avatar. All of the users understood the information conveyed by the avatar and answered successfully by means of the TV remote control.