EmbodiMentor

Abstract

This paper describes the EmbodiMentor, an interaction concept and metaphor that aims to enable users to embody a different person or character's perspective, specify or modify his/her/its emotional elements and conditioning elements, and experience the resulting changes. Its use case scenario is the education and training of foreign languages and intercultural communication skills, were contextualization and first person experiences in common settings are key for practical skill acquisitions. It was born as the microscience-fiction prototype "Frances can't sleep. She crawls out of bed and with her EmbodiMentor runs through a range of a client's emotional states, pitching to each one. She then falls asleep." The application of the science fiction prototyping concept has been proven a strong approach to develop and investigate innovative applications of emerging technologies.