Jul 2026· International Conference on Conversational User Interfaces· pp. 1-6· 0 citations· 26 references
Computer Science
TL;DR
It is suggested that physical embodiment can meaningfully enhance meditation experiences through social presence, as long as the design avoids intrusiveness or false human equivalence.
Abstract
Guided meditation is predominantly delivered through audio-only media or in-person sessions, yet social robots may offer a richer form of interaction through physical embodiment. To investigate this, we implemented a loving-kindness meditation on the Furhat robot and compared user responses to the robot-guided meditation to an equivalent audio-only condition. Social presence was measured on a quantitative survey, alongside qualitative post-experiment interviews. Results showed significantly higher social presence scores in the embodied condition, with participants reporting higher levels of engagement and companionship. While embodiment did not increase perceived authenticity, participants were comfortable with the robot in the structure of a human-designed meditation. These findings suggest that physical embodiment can meaningfully enhance meditation experiences through social presence, as long as the design avoids intrusiveness or false human equivalence.
The work shows how generative AI can mediate engagement with poetic heritage in culturally grounded emotional-support interactions and suggests that culturally grounded content and structured guidance should anchor system design, while multimodal presentation may strengthen resonance and engagement.
Yang-Ming Zhang, Zhi-Qian Li, Bin Wu et al.· 0 citations
Self-harm among young women is increasing globally, yet many do not disclose their distress, leaving families and communities unsure how to respond. Research shows that small, attuned gestures of presence and connection are often the most meaningful forms of support. ReBloom, an immersive interactive installation, was...
Barbara Doran, Simon M. Clow, Andrew Lodge et al.· Frontiers in Human Dynamics· 0 citations
As mental health challenges continue to rise, there is increasing interest in interventions that promote psychological change through emotionally and experientially rich states. One well-studied example involves mystical-type experiences, typically reported in psychedelic-assisted interventions. Virtual reality (VR),...
Liat Abouhav, K. Nitzan, R. Doron· Virtual Reality· 0 citations
This study deconstructs the complex and multifaceted pleasure experiences in video games by integrating embodied cognition theory with an intersectionality framework. The study applied mixed research methods, found out that multimodal spatial environments form the foundation for activating players' perceptual neural pa...
The processes of inclusion across diverse educational contexts and institutional levels highlight the critical role of embodied gestures in shaping both individual presence and the collective capacity to learn within shared environments. Recognizing and interpreting these gestures requires acute sensitivity to their in...
Mauro Carboni· European Journal of Special...· 0 citations
The field of VR studies and the industries that promote it are strongly shaped by the notion of immediacy, or the absence of mediation, an idea that holds considerable appeal in contemporary societies. User’s immersive response to the technological properties of the system is often described as instantaneous, somethi...
David Berliner· PRESENCE: Virtual and Augmen...· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
