Virtual Dialogue Application for Families of Deployed Service Members

The goal of the Phase I proof of concept will be to develop the plan for web based system which will allow young children of military service members to communicate with a 3D, interactive, digital simulation of their deployed parent at home on their own PC. Given that about forty percent of U.S. service members are parents, a large number of military children and families stand to benefit from targeted psychological preventive services, such as the one proposed here. This application describes this highly complex technical challenge and the psychological theories to support development of this system. The end result would be a user-friendly system to serve as a “simulated attachment intervention” whereby normal childhood development would be enhanced through an “on demand” communication system with the deployed parent. Further, as will be discussed below, commercialization of the integration of said technological development and psychological theory could be further developed as a “virtual counselor” to provide day to day support for those in the military or civilian life with physical and/or psychological difficulties. The commercial application of this technology would also extend to other areas including education, entertainment, gaming, and industry.