Emotional Virtual Agent to Improve Ageing in Place with Technology

Designing useful, usable and acceptable technology for elders to help them to age well is a challenging process. An interactive calendar helps elders to stay longer at home and organize their daily life. Moreover, emotional virtual agent can help to enhance the interaction between elders and computer, through verbal and non-verbal communication. Based on a participatory design procedure, we involve the user in designing the ideal calendar including an emotional virtual agent. Preliminary results showed a strong desire for acquiring a such technology. Emotional virtual agent could improve the acceptability and the use of technology.