The project “EMPAIRED – Empathic AI and XR for Ergonomic Training” is nearing the conclusion of its research and development activities.
Launched with the goal of revolutionizing industrial training by integrating “empathic” Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality (XR) to assess ergonomics and correct worker movements, the project has achieved significant milestones.

Thanks to funding obtained from the 2nd Open Call of the MASTER project through European Union funds, the EMPAIRED project successfully implemented a pilot study to test innovative mixed reality and artificial intelligence technologies for training personnel working in industrial environments.

Partners Deep Reality s.r.l. and Moebeus Società Benefit s.r.l.developed a virtual scenario that simulates the industrial workspace and operations. This setup utilizes the Ergon-XR platform, which monitors body movements and posture in real time to prevent ergonomic risks. Within this virtual environment, an embodied conversational agent acting as a virtual coach—developed using the Algho platform — was introduced to facilitate the training process.

The virtual scenario was tested at the Santa Chiara Lab of the University of Siena, the Università Politecnica delle Marche, and the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, involving a group of 77 participants who tested and evaluated the system.

The experimentation followed a mixed-method qualitative-quantitative approach. The team from the University of Siena, led by Professor Patrizia Marti, defined the experimental protocol and developed an evaluation toolkit, selecting the most effective indicators and standardized measurement scales to highlight both the advantages and limitations of the virtual scenario.

The data analysis highlighted the simulation’s ease of use, the clarity of information, a high level of presence and immersion, and the superior quality of the graphic elements. Notably, these positive outcomes were achieved even though the majority of participants had no prior familiarity with mixed reality technologies or industrial settings.

While the primary goal of the trial was to validate the virtual scenario, EMPAIRED—as a pilot project—represents a major step forward in identifying room for improvement in these technologies.

Key insights emerged from the trial to guide future research, including: the dynamics of controller-mediated interaction; the intense sense of presence in the virtual environment that alters body awareness; the need to design virtual spaces around diverse body types and interaction modes rather than a “standard body”; and the value of communication with the virtual coach that goes beyond purely functional tasks to actively engage and motivate users.

The project consortium, coordinated by the University of Siena, is currently dedicated to defining a post-funding sustainability strategy to maximize the value of the technologies, expertise, and results achieved.

For further information about the EMPAIRED project and future research collaborations, please contact the Principal Investigator:

• Prof. Patrizia Marti, patrizia.marti@unisi.it