Development of an Embodied Virtual Group Walking Support System

The group walking is seen here and there frequently in Japan. The walking with the partner gives them the motivation to continue the exercise. In this paper, we propose the embodied group walking support system which allows the users to walk with partner around the street in the shared virtual space. It also provides the smooth communication with partner by using the users' avatars with InterRobot technology. We also discuss about the effectiveness of the functions i.e. footsteps' sound, users' avatar and its' communication motion, which offers the feeling of co-existence with partners to users in the shared virtual space.