Generating an Environment for Socializing Between Older Adults in a VR Supermarket

Abstract

Socialization is crucial for the well-being of individuals, but elderly people often face challenges due to physical and psychological issues, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this issue, a novel approach has been developed using a Japanese Virtual Reality (VR) supermarket, where older adults can purchase products that could be delivered to their homes while socializing with others in a familiar environment. The VR supermarket is based on Japanese supermarket shelf layouts, with hand-tracking and gestures used for interaction. Avatars, attached with images of the participants and their synchronized voice input are used to represent them. In a user study involving 14 older adults, the application was found to be effective for social communication, and potential negative effects such as cybersickness were successfully mitigated. The VR supermarket thus provides a valuable tool for older adults to socialize and meet their need to interact with people from the same age group, even in isolation (pandemic scenario).