Exploring How to Use Mixed Reality & Telepresence Technology to Tackle Loneliness and Reduce Feelings of Social Isolation

在英国，据估计约有150万50岁及以上的老年人患有慢性孤独，40%的老年人说电视是他们唯一的陪伴。这些数字还在不断上升，给英国国家医疗服务体系（NHS）等社会服务机构以及其他希望自己的亲人得到最好照顾的亲属带来了压力。在一个由“社交”媒体主导的世界里，我们有如此多的工具和技术来相互联系，为什么孤独在今天仍然是一个问题？答案可能在于这些技术提供的浅薄的连接体验。连通性不仅仅是指连接。它需要共同的理解，社交的机会，能动性和独立性，以及分享有意义的经验和与其他人互动。通过共同设计工作坊、低保真原型和用户研究，这项工作将探索混合现实和远程呈现技术如何帮助我们将真实世界和数字世界结合起来，从而建立深厚的关系，缓解孤独感。

In the UK, it is estimated that around 1.5 million aged 50 and over suffer from chronic loneliness, and 40% of older people say the television is their only company. These numbers are continually rising, putting a strain on social services such as the NHS, as well as other relatives who want the best for their loved ones. How is loneliness still a problem today, in a world dominated by 'social' media, where we have so many tools and technologies to connect with one another? The answer may lie in the shallow experience of connectedness these technologies provide. Connectedness is about more than just being connected. It requires a shared understanding, the chance to socialize, agency and independence, and to share meaningful experiences and interact with other human beings. Through co-design workshops, low-fi prototypes, and user studies, this work will explore how mixed reality and telepresence-technology which lets us combine the real and digital worlds-may help establish deep relationships to relieve loneliness.