Overcome Social Phobias by Speaking to Your Computer

A collaborative research team at the University of Bristol is finding new uses for humanoid robots and computer avatars. The theory is that they may be helpful in rehabilitating patients who suffer from extreme forms of social disorders and phobias.

It is easier to interact with someone who looks, talks and generally behaves like us, when trying to get rid of fears. A mirror game developed by the researchers allows two players to copy each other’s motions while playing with balls on a string. The avatar usually looks like the patient and is programmed to initially copy movements of the person.

Gradually the alter ego of the computer avatar may be programmed to help the patient make healthy changes. The feedback from the person is embedded in the avatar and programming is quite complex. However the researchers are very excited about the work they have managed to accomplish.

The next level of the science project is to set up multiple human and computer interactions in a social set up. Allowing the group of people and their avatars to interact and perform common tasks together. This will also help the patients overcome their social phobias in a controlled environment. Naturally this phase is going to be even more challenging than the first.