Work

From theory to practice: virtual children as platforms for research and training

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines two virtual child simulators, BabyX and the virtual reality (VR) Baby Training Tool, which serve as immersive and interactive platforms for child-centered research and training. These technologies help overcome key ethical and practical constraints, enabling the controlled study of caregiver-infant interactions and the cultivation of professional relational skills with young children. We analyze the design, functionalities, and current applications of these tools, as well as their potential future developments, highlighting their capacity to advance empirical research and enhance training methodologies in child-focused disciplines.

Source: Empathic Computing

DOI: 10.70401/ec.2025.0005

Authors: Samara Morrison, Annette M. E. Henderson, Heide Lukosch, E. Jayne White, Florian Bednarski, Mark Sagar

Language: English

Topic: Social Robot Interaction and HRI

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Tertiary Education Commission, University of Canterbury

OpenAlex ID: W4408994420