Virtual worlds to enhance Ambient-Assisted Living

Abstract

In this paper we discuss about the integration of Ambient-Assisted Living (AAL) with virtual worlds. The integration of sensors from the AAL environment (e.g. vital signs, motion sensors) in the Virtual World can enhance the provision of in-world eHealth services, such as tele-rehabilitation, and taking advance of the social nature of virtual worlds. An implementation of a virtual world integrated in an AAL environment for tele-rehabilitation is described in this paper. At this time, all of the system's modules have been developed and we are currently integrating them in a fully functional version. The system will be tested with real users during 2010 in the Sport Medical Unit of The University of Seville. This paper describes the architecture and functionalities of the system.

Experimental study and modelling of Networked Virtual Environment server traffic

“…Literature has covered broader spectrum topics about NVEs: usage of NVEs as basis for persuasive systems ( [1]), integration of NVEs with low cost sensors ( [2]). On the other hand, [8] has focused on the network traffic aspects of OWL, proposing several models for the outgoing traffic of OWL clients.…”

“…Open Wonderland (OWL) is an Open Source NVE, which has been previously used as basis for the development of a pervasive system over a NVE, "Virtual Valley" [1], [2]. There are several reasons that make OWL a suitable testing bench: a GPL v2 license, usage of Java technologies to ensure portability and freedom to deploy a OWL instance on a wide range of configurations and infrastructures.…”

“…The massive popularization of these games in recent years has meant the emergence of a new business model in the video game industry and has attracted the interest of the research community, focused on the study and better understanding of the network requirements and user experience, as well as on the idea that other fields such as the e-Health may benefit from the introduction of new tools. For example, the possibility of several users interacting in a Networked Virtual Environment (NVE) has been seen as a suitable basis for the development of the so-called "persuasive systems", systems that focus on motivating healthy lifestyle habits [1].…”

Smart Tales: An Awareness Game for Ambient Assisted Living

“…The most common applications of serious games and virtual worlds in AAL concern motor and cognitive rehabilitation [24] and the improvement of social inclusion [3]. For example, Simmonds and Zikos [26] employ computer games in therapies for pain management, and their evaluation of two games shows improved pain threshold, mood and physical performance.…”

A mobile healthcare solution for ambient assisted living environments

“…represented by a graphical representation of a human being. VWs is able to endorse online social interaction with objects, or with other users and interact in a way by means of text chat, voice or even video[41]. This type of VWs is common like Second Life[42], but is more important to focus in health care, like Second Health[43].…”