VR with Older Adults: Participatory Design of a Virtual ATM Training Simulation

TL;DR

This study explores participatory design with older adults to develop a VR ATM training simulation, highlighting user engagement and co-creation of interfaces for emerging VR and AR technologies.

Contribution

It introduces a participatory design approach involving older adults in creating VR applications, emphasizing co-design of interfaces and interaction schemes.

Findings

Older adults can effectively participate in VR co-design workshops.

The study provides recommendations for organizing participatory prototyping sessions.

Insights into suitable tools and methods for VR participatory design.

Abstract

In this paper we report on a study conducted with a group of older adults in which they engaged in participatory design workshops to create a VR ATM training simulation. Based on observation, recordings and the developed VR application we present the results of the workshops and offer considerations and recommendations for organizing opportunities for end users, in this case older adults, to directly engage in co-creation of cutting-edge ICT solutions. These include co-designing interfaces and interaction schemes for emerging technologies like VR and AR. We discuss such aspects as user engagement and hardware and software tools suitable for participatory prototyping of VR applications. Finally, we present ideas for further research in the area of VR participatory prototyping with users of various proficiency levels, taking steps towards developing a unified framework for co-design in AR and VR.