philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

Virtual reality helping older ‘explorers’ connect and share memories

When Zofia Joshi comes into a room these days, she's on six legs.

Four of those are attached to a walking frame she's increasingly relied on since the onset of Parkinson's disease nine years ago.

However, another version of Ms Joshi — her avatar — walks upright on just two.

There's no frame needed, just like she moved when she was younger.

"I'm here to learn about avatars and how to make them, and for once have the jump on the young people in my life!" she laughs.

Ms Joshi, 75, is a 'technology explorer'. For the last year she and a group of friends have been working with Steven Baker from Melbourne University to create a virtual world for older people, where they can interact as digital avatars of themselves.

Inside the Highway of Life, avatars can carry digitised versions of objects from their childhoods.

In Melbourne, retired teacher Tony Jones brought a photo from his time as a high school student.

Those of us outside the virtual world watch the monitors, as the older people use their controllers to haltingly express one of four emotions — sad, angry, happy and surprised.

The avatars nod, gesticulate, laugh and speak in perfect sync with their owners.

He believes that by 2020, virtual reality technology could be connecting people in aged care facilities to friends, family and each other as a way of strengthening relationships and guarding against depression.

See the full story here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-18/ground-breaking-virtual-reality-connects-older-australians/9556090