This research explores designing XR interactions inspired by autopoiesis and symbiosis, drawing on biological principles and 4E+ Cognition (embodied, embedded, enactive, extended, and affective cognition). By treating virtual objects as life-like entities, the design fosters a responsive, symbiotic relationship between users and virtual environments.
Key influences include:
- Jeffrey Ventrella’s Clusters Project: Uses algorithms inspired by Lynn Margulis's endosymbiosis theory, simulating life-like behaviours in particle systems.
- Lynn Margulis’s Endosymbiosis Theory: Highlights cooperation and integration in evolution, which inspires designing XR systems as adaptive, interconnected ecosystems.
- 4E+ Cognition: Incorporates affective dimensions to create immersive, emotionally engaging experiences.
- Life-like Interaction: Virtual environments mimic living systems, promoting dynamic, reciprocal interactions.
- Emotionally Engaging Systems: Interaction design integrates emotional responses to foster intuitive and meaningful experiences.
- Symbiotic Dynamics: Inspired by biological symbiosis, XR environments evolve with user interaction.
- Responsive Behaviour: Particles react dynamically to user movements, offering real-time feedback.
- Adaptability via Machine Learning: Smart particles learn user preferences and adapt behaviours for personalised interaction.
- Emotional Engagement: Particles use visual and behavioural cues (e.g., glowing, colour changes) to evoke curiosity and delight.
When users approach or touch virtual objects:
- Objects detect intent (engage or bypass) and respond with animations.
- Smart particles dynamically react to gestures, enhancing immersion.
- 4E+ Cognition Integration: Grounding interactions in embodied, enactive, and extended cognition for a natural, intuitive experience.
- Extended Presence: XR becomes an extension of cognitive processes, enriching user engagement.
- Affective Design: Emotional responses deepen connection and sustain interest.
- Enhanced ML Capabilities: Reinforcement learning to refine particle behaviours based on user feedback.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): Smart particles responding to voice commands for greater accessibility.
- Emotion Detection: Particles adapting to user emotional states via physiological or vocal cues.
This approach advances XR by integrating biological principles, 4E+ Cognition, and machine learning, enabling dynamic, adaptive environments that resonate with human cognitive and emotional processes. By fostering life-like interactions, these systems push the boundaries of immersive design, creating transformative user experiences.