Playing with AI dolphins – An interactive VR therapy

This project will develop a new virtual reality (VR) therapy solution that can help ease the symptoms of mental illnesses such as anxiety disorder and depression. Swimming with dolphins can be therapeutic and beneficial for people with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, physical disabilities, and other psychological disorders. However, dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT) is not accessible to most people due to its limited availability and high cost. There are also animal welfare concerns for dolphins being kept in captivity.

With our innovative “Playing with AI Dolphins” design, users will be able to wear a VR headset and enter a virtual underwater environment, as if they are truly diving in the ocean. Users will see corals, rocks, small sea creatures, and swimming dolphins. The dolphins will be empowered by computer programming and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to deliver tailored facial expressions and body movements in response to users’ interactions. This unique design can lead to enhanced therapeutic effects.

The solution will be developed along with a Northampton-based company VR Therapies. We plan to engage with VR Therapies’ existing user base for the design and testing of the new solution. A small number of selected users with mild mental disorders will be invited to participate in a user study. The study will allow us to gather important quantitative and qualitative data to help evaluate and improve the solution.

Swimming with dolphin can help people with mental disorders feel relaxed and calm. We are working with VR Therapies to develop a bespoke virtual reality aplication which allows users enjoy an immersive underwater experience without getting wet. Users simply put on a vritual reality headset to enter a safe and calm virtual underwater environment that resembles Hawaiian feef. They can enjoy interacting with dolphins and other sea creatures using their hands. We believe this application will greatly benefit people who are on the long NHS mental health waiting list for trauma, anxiety, and depression treatment, especially those who struggle to leave their home due to disabilities.