June 6, 2025
Researchers examine impact of avatars and virtual dogs on human emotions
What does your online persona say about you? And could a virtual dog help inspire you during your workouts?
Those are just two of the many questions a researcher is trying to answer as he looks into the ever-evolving world of immersive technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR).
, PhD, leads the , which is dedicated to understanding how the online world influences human behaviour, identity and social connection.
His work earned him recognition at the (IEEE VR) 2025 conference, where he was part of a for Best Paper and an Honourable Mention.
鈥淩eceiving both of these honours was incredibly meaningful, not just as recognition, but as a celebration of our lab鈥檚 ethos: combining technical rigour with human sensitivity,鈥 Kim says.
鈥淭hese papers span a wide spectrum yet share a common vision of immersive technologies that serve, reflect and enhance the human experience.鈥
The team鈥檚 papers dealt with two growing areas of interest in the online world: your virtual identity and emotional connections.
Creating your online character
Avatars have become more prevalent as pieces of our professional and social lives.
The character used to represent a user has grown from a pixelated cartoon in the early days of the internet and forums to what can be an almost identical-to-real-life persona; if users want it to be.
Kim鈥檚 team at IEEE VR based its winning Best Paper on the social norms that have governed what types of avatar modifications feel acceptable, especially around attributes like race, gender and facial identity.
He says their study 鈥 which was led by Seoyoung Kang, a visiting PhD student from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology) 鈥 offers valuable insights into how shifting social norms should help users be more thoughtful, respectful and strategic in their virtual self-representation.
鈥淛ust because digital platforms allow boundless customization doesn鈥檛 mean all modifications are perceived equally,鈥 Kim says. 鈥淵our avatar is a social artifact, and how others interpret it may depend on the situation, whether it鈥檚 in a work meeting, gaming with strangers, or interacting socially.鈥
A virtual running buddy
The team鈥檚 Honourable Mention was for a paper that focused on how a virtual pet could help support AR users while they're working out.
Kim says they were inspired by how real pets offer a playful, emotionally resonant experience, so they wanted to see how it would impact those in an online world.
This work was led by Dr. Hyeongil Nam, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the lab, and explored the potential of developing an interactive virtual dog as a social workout companion.
鈥淪mall touches like a virtual pet mimicking your movements can create a surprising sense of companionship and motivation,鈥 Kim says.
鈥淓specially in solo workouts, the virtual dog didn鈥檛 just mirror the user physically, it connected with them socially.鈥
From left: Dr. Ferran Argelaguet, Dr. Jong-Il Park, Dr. Hyeongil Nam, Dr. Kangsoo Kim, and Dr. Frank Steinicke
Submitted
Adding user-responsive companies and not just passive visuals, Kim says, can create richer, more immersive experiences.
鈥淯sers described the mimicking dog as supportive, playful and even emotionally uplifting,鈥 he says. 鈥淲hat stood out was how subtle, embodied behaviours 鈥 just following your squats or stretches 鈥 were enough to trigger feelings of companionship and presence.鈥
An extension of reality
Kim says the IEEE VR honours recognize his lab鈥檚 ongoing mission to design systems for AR, VR and mixed reality that are innovative, socially intelligent and emotionally meaningful.
鈥淒igital agents and avatars don鈥檛 just reflect users, they shape user experience, identity and motivation,鈥 he says. 鈥淭echnology becomes more meaningful when it respects the social and emotional nuances of human life.鈥
Kim says the two studies reminded the team that, even in digital environments, rich and complex human social psychology remains.