BunnyfootBunnyfootBunnyfootBunnyfoot
  • Our services
  • About us
  • UX training
  • Our clients
  • Blog
  • Contact us
    Home Brain Feasts: Longer Reads Age of the Avatar (Part II)

    Age of the Avatar (Part II)

    By Alexa Matthews | Brain Feasts: Longer Reads | 0 comment | 24 December, 2010 | 0

    This is Part II of a two part blog on avatars. If you haven’t already you can read Part I below.

    So what’s the point? How can this technology be applied to provide us with something useful?

    For online businesses, developing a virtual sales agent that is capable of motivating the sites visitors into investigating the company or product further by engaging them in a conversation is powerful. This interaction should make a connection with the visitor and provide them with information regarding products and services, in turn creating the opportunity to convert investigating visitors into customers. At Bunnyfoot we have undertaken numerous testing projects involving the use of agents to support the sales journey. The most successful agents support a wide variety of user enquiries and provide the company with valuable information about customer likes, dislikes and behaviour.

    There could be an argument around whether there is room within commercial business for this type of technology to flourish and develop. We recently had discussion as part of an ongoing project with a Financial client regarding the use of an avatar within their ‘help’ section; we advised that the technology available to them at this point would not improve their online customer experience. However I feel that avatars and intelligent agents placed within the right application, using the right technology (available) and with the correct user research behind them can assist and enhance the user journey. There is obviously a large cost implication to this type of development but it is an area that Bunnyfoot is excited to have the potential and knowledge to move into.

    Virtual Education (azwaldo: flickr)

    Virtual Education (azwaldo: flickr)

    I believe the benefits extend more importantly to the areas of health and education. Throughout the Health sector virtual worlds and avatars are being used to treat phobias, assist in behavioural therapy and train professionals. The Education sector are creating and implementing virtual environments and programmes to educate children on healthy eating and exercise also with great success. There has been a surge in distance education since it has become more accessible across the country on account of cheaper technology; the need to provide students with a classroom feel has grown. Creating a personalised and socially engaging environment to collaborate within has been shown to increase feelings of community and engagement and decrease that of social isolation and in some cases increase efficiency.

    However what are the implications of these increasing virtual interactions? If we are interacting more and more with artificial intelligence in a virtual world what are the consequences on our real-life social interactions?

    Hand Reaching from D Sharon Pruitt

    Companionship (D Sharon Pruitt)

    Some argue that this type of technology could be destroying our sense of self and could even be the beginning of the end of society. So are they afraid because it is something new to them or because it could in fact be harmful?

    I believe we are social beings who inherently seek to make connections, build communities, and search for companionship. I don’t think that even though these technologies are going to create interactions that mirror and replicate those of real-life, they will never be able to replace them. As with everything there are pros and cons and I believe that the benefits to certain groups of users (autistic children, medical staff, the mentally ill, customers) far out way the negatives. If you have thoughts to the alternative please feel free to post them here and I’ll do my best to respond.

    Accessibility, Content Strategy, Information Architecture

    Alexa Matthews

    More posts by Alexa Matthews

    Related Posts

    • What’s in a name? User Experience and UX Design vs. Design Thinking

      Nov 24, 2020

      User Experience (UX), UX design, and design thinking are popular buzzwords and often used interchangeably. But are they interchangeable? What do they mean, exactly, and how should we use them? User experience continues beyond a single touchpoint Let’s unravel the... Read more

    • Tips from Airbnb on Designing a 5 Star Website

      May 30, 2019

      It’s 9:00am and you’ve just touched down in sunny Barcelona and arrived at your Airbnb. You open the door and your eyes dart around the room — lots of light, modern furnishing and most importantly, it’s clean! First impressions are... Read more

    • Highlights from the Service Design Fringe Festival 2018

      Dec 18, 2018

      Giving myself enough time to reflect on the Service Design Fringe Festival as one of the 2018 organisers I can firmly say that the Festival was a success and worth of my time and energy investment putting aside/greying out countless... Read more

    • Video Games – Addictive By Design?

      Nov 5, 2018

      If you were asked to characterise a ‘gamer’, chances are, you’d describe a socially awkward teenage male. That’s the general perception of a gamer – and something that has been perpetuated by films and TV for decades – but it’s... Read more

    Leave a Comment

    Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    NextPrevious

    Recent Posts

    • ‘AR’-commerce – a novel and functional shopping experience January 26, 2021
    • Webinar: UX & Sustainable Service Design January 12, 2021
    • AR isn’t mainstream… or is it? January 7, 2021
    • What makes an effective UX Consultant? Bunnyfoot speaks to UX Usability Podcast December 11, 2020
    • What’s in a name? User Experience and UX Design vs. Design Thinking November 24, 2020

    Categories

    • Brain Bites: 2 Minute Insights
    • Brain Feasts: Longer Reads
    • Brain Licks: 10 Second Wisdom
    • Bunnyfoot Updates
    • Content: White Papers, Research Reports and More
    • Events
    • News and Announcements
    • Talks and Presentations
    • Tools and Resources
    • Uncategorised

    LONDON

    4th Floor
    54 St John’s Square
    Farringdon
    London
    EC1V 4JL

    Tel: 0207 608 1670

    SHEFFIELD

    The Old Chapel
    8 Mortimer Street
    Sheffield
    South Yorkshire
    S1 4SF

    Tel: 0114 478 2950

    OXFORD

    Boston House
    134 Downsview Rd
    Wantage
    Oxfordshire
    OX12 9FF

    Tel: 01235 606 140

    Cyber Essentials (PLUS) Logo
    • Copyright Statement
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Training Course Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Jobs
    © Bunnyfoot Ltd 2020 | Bunnyfoot is part of the Sideshow Group
    • Our services
    • About us
    • UX training
    • Our clients
    • Blog
    • Contact us
    Bunnyfoot
    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Privacy PolicyREJECTACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled

    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

    Non-necessary

    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.