Exploring the design of social VR experiences with older adults

Abstract

Thereisgrowing interestintechnologies that allow older adults to socialise across geographic boundaries. Anemerging technologyinthis spaceis social virtual reality (VR). Inthis paper we reporton aseriesofparticipatory design workshops that involved extended in-depth collaboration with22 older adults (aged 70-81), that aimedtounderstand their viewsonthe typesofsocial VR experiences that they sawasbeingofvaluetoolder adults. This process culminatedinareminiscence-based socialVRconcept. Our study identifies: participants' ideas about the types of social VR experiences they found appealing; the potential for social VR asapowerful reminiscence tool; how socialVRmightbeused asatooltochallenge ageing stereotypes and promote healthy ageing. Reflectingonthe design process, wediscuss how the diverse participant groups and the complexities involvedinme-diating between designers, the technical team, and participants could inform future design work.