Dis/Immersion in Mindfulness Meditation with a Wandering Voice Assistant
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 22, 2023
Source: arXiv
Summary
A novel "wandering voice" system embedded in a yoga mat is revolutionizing guided meditation. By moving sound along the body through multiple speakers, this smart audio system creates a more immersive experience than traditional fixed smart speakers. Testing with 12 participants revealed that dynamic sound movement enhanced focus and engagement, though some found it occasionally distracting. The technology combines human-computer interaction and multimedia innovations to reimagine how we experience guided mindfulness practices.
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation is a validated means of helping people manage stress. Voice-based virtual assistants (VAs) in smart speakers, smartphones, and smart environments can assist people in carrying out mindfulness meditation through guided experiences. However, the common fixed location embodiment of VAs makes it difficult to provide intuitive support. In this work, we explored the novel embodiment of a "wandering voice" that is co-located with the user and "moves" with the task. We developed a multi-speaker VA embedded in a yoga mat that changes location along the body according to the meditation experience. We conducted a qualitative user study in two sessions, comparing a typical fixed smart speaker to the wandering VA embodiment. Thick descriptions from interviews with twelve people revealed sometimes simultaneous experiences of immersion and dis-immersion. We offer design implications for "wandering voices" and a new paradigm for VA embodiment that may extend to guidance tasks in other contexts.