The research project CO-HUMANICS at TU Ilmenau aims to develop innovative technologies to make it easier for older adults to maintain social contacts and actively participate in social life. This includes Augmented Reality systems that enable virtual visits using avatars. But what do older adults themselves think about such communication possibilities?
To answer this question, the Media Psychology Group conducted an empirical study within the work package Evaluation, involving N = 30 individuals over the age of 60 from Germany. They were interviewed about their general attitudes and specific requirements for an Augmented Reality communication system. The results of the study were published in the journal “Information” (IF = 3.1 (2022)). They highlight the importance of involving older adults in the technology development process and provide recommendations for technology design.
Mikhailova, V., Conde, M., & Döring, N. (2024). “Like a virtual family reunion”: Older adults defining requirements for an augmented reality communication system. Information, 15(1), Article 52. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15010052