Virtual Buddy: Redefining Conversational AI Interactions for Individuals with Hand Motor Disabilities

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel conversational AI system designed to improve interaction for individuals with hand motor disabilities by enabling one-to-many agent relationships, reducing input effort and supporting personalized, topic-based conversations.

Contribution

The paper introduces a prototype that allows creation of multiple agent personas for personalized, topic-based conversations, differing from existing one-to-one systems like Replika.

Findings

Supports topic-based conversations tailored to user interests

Reduces input effort for users with limited hand mobility

Potentially benefits others with similar input challenges

Abstract

Advances in artificial intelligence have transformed the paradigm of human-computer interaction, with the development of conversational AI systems playing a pivotal role. These systems employ technologies such as natural language processing and machine learning to simulate intelligent and human-like conversations. Driven by the personal experience of an individual with a neuromuscular disease who faces challenges with leaving home and contends with limited hand-motor control when operating digital systems, including conversational AI platforms, we propose a method aimed at enriching their interaction with conversational AI. Our prototype allows the creation of multiple agent personas based on hobbies and interests, to support topic-based conversations. In contrast with existing systems, such as Replika, that offer a 1:1 relation with a virtual agent, our design enables one-to-many relationships, easing the process of interaction for this individual by reducing the need for constant data input. We can imagine our prototype potentially helping others who are in a similar situation with reduced typing/input ability.