“Like a Virtual Family Reunion”: Older Adults Defining Requirements for an Augmented Reality Communication System
Leading a socially engaged life is beneficial for the well-being of older adults. Immersive technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), have the potential to provide more engaging and vivid communication experiences compared to conventional digital tools. This qualitative study adopts a human-cent...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Information |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/15/1/52 |
| _version_ | 1797343393915863040 |
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| author | Veronika Mikhailova Melisa Conde Nicola Döring |
| author_facet | Veronika Mikhailova Melisa Conde Nicola Döring |
| author_sort | Veronika Mikhailova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Leading a socially engaged life is beneficial for the well-being of older adults. Immersive technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), have the potential to provide more engaging and vivid communication experiences compared to conventional digital tools. This qualitative study adopts a human-centered approach to discern the general attitudes and specific requirements of older adults regarding interpersonal communication facilitated by AR. We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with a sample of <i>N</i> = 30 older adults from Germany. During the interviews, participants evaluated storyboard illustrations depicting a fictional AR-enabled communication scenario centered around a grandparent and their adult grandchildren, which were represented as avatars within the AR environment. The study identified technological, emotional, social, and administrative requirements of older adults regarding the AR communication system. Based on these findings, we provide practical recommendations aimed at more inclusive technology design, emphasizing the significance of addressing the emotional needs of older adults, especially the perceived intimacy of AR-based interpersonal communication. Acknowledging and catering to these emotional needs is crucial, as it impacts the adoption of immersive technologies and the realization of their social benefits. This study contributes to the development of user-friendly AR systems that effectively promote and foster social engagement among older adults. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:46:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-22f3df63df314b7bbe00e0268d4d818f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2078-2489 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:46:57Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Information |
| spelling | doaj.art-22f3df63df314b7bbe00e0268d4d818f2024-01-26T17:03:48ZengMDPI AGInformation2078-24892024-01-011515210.3390/info15010052“Like a Virtual Family Reunion”: Older Adults Defining Requirements for an Augmented Reality Communication SystemVeronika Mikhailova0Melisa Conde1Nicola Döring2Media Psychology and Media Design Group, Department of Economic Sciences and Media, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ehrenbergstr. 29, 98693 Ilmenau, GermanyMedia Psychology and Media Design Group, Department of Economic Sciences and Media, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ehrenbergstr. 29, 98693 Ilmenau, GermanyMedia Psychology and Media Design Group, Department of Economic Sciences and Media, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ehrenbergstr. 29, 98693 Ilmenau, GermanyLeading a socially engaged life is beneficial for the well-being of older adults. Immersive technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), have the potential to provide more engaging and vivid communication experiences compared to conventional digital tools. This qualitative study adopts a human-centered approach to discern the general attitudes and specific requirements of older adults regarding interpersonal communication facilitated by AR. We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with a sample of <i>N</i> = 30 older adults from Germany. During the interviews, participants evaluated storyboard illustrations depicting a fictional AR-enabled communication scenario centered around a grandparent and their adult grandchildren, which were represented as avatars within the AR environment. The study identified technological, emotional, social, and administrative requirements of older adults regarding the AR communication system. Based on these findings, we provide practical recommendations aimed at more inclusive technology design, emphasizing the significance of addressing the emotional needs of older adults, especially the perceived intimacy of AR-based interpersonal communication. Acknowledging and catering to these emotional needs is crucial, as it impacts the adoption of immersive technologies and the realization of their social benefits. This study contributes to the development of user-friendly AR systems that effectively promote and foster social engagement among older adults.https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/15/1/52augmented realitycommunication technologiesolder adultavatarsocial engagement |
| spellingShingle | Veronika Mikhailova Melisa Conde Nicola Döring “Like a Virtual Family Reunion”: Older Adults Defining Requirements for an Augmented Reality Communication System Information augmented reality communication technologies older adult avatar social engagement |
| title | “Like a Virtual Family Reunion”: Older Adults Defining Requirements for an Augmented Reality Communication System |
| title_full | “Like a Virtual Family Reunion”: Older Adults Defining Requirements for an Augmented Reality Communication System |
| title_fullStr | “Like a Virtual Family Reunion”: Older Adults Defining Requirements for an Augmented Reality Communication System |
| title_full_unstemmed | “Like a Virtual Family Reunion”: Older Adults Defining Requirements for an Augmented Reality Communication System |
| title_short | “Like a Virtual Family Reunion”: Older Adults Defining Requirements for an Augmented Reality Communication System |
| title_sort | like a virtual family reunion older adults defining requirements for an augmented reality communication system |
| topic | augmented reality communication technologies older adult avatar social engagement |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/15/1/52 |
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