Adelaide University develops virtual town square for stroke survivors with speech difficulties
Adelaide University researchers are creating a virtual reality platform to help stroke survivors practice conversations in a safe digital environment.
Platform uses artificial intelligence tools
The Virtual Interactive platform to Treat Anomic Language, known as VITAL, combines virtual reality and artificial intelligence technology. This system creates a virtual town square containing shops, restaurants, and hardware stores for users. People can practice everyday tasks like ordering coffee or shopping without the pressure of the real world.
Targeting communication disorders after injury
The program addresses anomic language, which is a hallmark feature of aphasia affecting word finding and sentence construction. Such language difficulties often occur when part of the brain is damaged due to a stroke or traumatic brain injury. About 140,000 people in Australia currently live with aphasia according to available data.
Professor Maria Kambanaros leads project
Professor Maria Kambanaros from Adelaide University is leading the development of this new program. The initiative aims to provide a safe space where individuals can connect with others and ask questions. Users will interact in familiar places designed specifically for practicing finding words and having conversations.
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