Spherical Display for Telepresence

A spherical avatar interface for remote communication and social presence

Spherical Display for Telepresence

This research investigates a spherical display as an embodied avatar interface for remote communication.

A remote participant wearing a head-mounted display can control an avatar presented on the spherical display and communicate with people in a shared physical environment. The system supports facial expressions, voice communication, and spatial awareness through immersive and panoramic visual information.

Research Topics

  • Telepresence and remote communication
  • Embodied avatars
  • Social presence
  • Facial expression and voice communication
  • Spatial awareness in shared environments
  • Human–avatar interaction
  • Communication between remote and co-located participants

Research Approach

The remote participant observes the physical environment through immersive visual information and communicates through an avatar displayed on the spherical surface.

People in the physical environment can interact with the avatar through speech and nonverbal behavior. The system is used to study how embodiment, facial expression, voice, and spatial context influence communication and social presence.

Representative Publications and Awards

  • Toshiro Kashiwagi and Kaoru Sumi. A Telecommunication System for Sharing a Physical Space through Remote Participation as a Character Agent. Interaction 2021, Information Processing Society of Japan, 2021. (in Japanese) Interactive Presentation Award

  • Yoshiki Ishihara and Kaoru Sumi. Avatar Communication through a Spherical Display while Assuming Another Person’s Identity. JSAI Special Interest Group on Knowledge and Skills Transfer, 2023. (in Japanese)

  • Shingo Nishiura and Kaoru Sumi. Comparison of Communication through Cooperative Games Using a Spherical Display and a Head-Mounted Display. JSAI Special Interest Group on Knowledge and Skills Transfer, 2023. (in Japanese)

  • Yoshiki Ishihara and Kaoru Sumi. Communication through a Virtual Avatar Presented on a Spherical Display. IPSJ Special Interest Group on Human–Computer Interaction, 2024. (in Japanese)

  • Haruto Tanno and Kaoru Sumi. Development of a Cooperative Bicycle Training System Using a Dome Screen and a Spherical Display. IPSJ Special Interest Group on Human–Computer Interaction, 2024. (in Japanese)

Prototype of a spherical avatar display used for telepresence and remote human communication.