Anthony Lewis Brooks – författare

In a time of ongoing pandemic when well-being is a priority this volume presents latest works across disciplines associated to Virtual Patients, Gamification and Simulation. Chapters herein present international perspectives with authors from around the globe contributing to this impactful third edition to the series following a 2014 Springer book on Technologies for Inclusive Well-Being and a 2017 Springer book Recent Advances in Technologies for Inclusive Well-Being.

Digital technologies are pervasive in life and the contributions herein focus on specific attributes and situations, especially in training and treatment programmes spanning across ranges of diagnosis, conditions, ages, and targeted impacts. This volume purposefully does not cover all (even if that was possible) aspects on how virtual interactive space can align to statial computing, which in turn can align with related embodied entities (whatever the terms used e.g. Virtual, Augmented, Extended, Mixed Realities) along with AI, Deep Learning etc. It also doesn’t cover what some may refer to as ‘trendy terms’ such as 360 degree, video, WebXR, cryptocurrency, blockchain, virtual goods, AR museums, travel and teleportation…however, what is covered in this book, and the prior volumes it builds upon (as above), is a sharing and questioning of advancing technologies for inclusive well-being through research and practices from an avant-garde perspective.

This book presents current innovative, alternative and creative approaches that challenge traditional mechanisms in and across disciplines and industries targeting societal impact. A common thread throughout the book is human-centered, uni and multi-modal strategies across the range of human technologies, including sensing and stimuli; virtual and augmented worlds; games for serious applications; accessibility; digital-ethics and more. Focusing on engaging, meaningful, and motivating activities that at the same time offer systemic information on human condition, performance and progress, the book is of interest to anyone seeking to gain insights into the field, be they students, teachers, practicing professionals, consultants, or family representatives. By offering a wider perspective, it addresses the need for a core text that evokes and provokes, engages and demands and stimulates and satisfies.

This book is the first single volume that brings together the topics of serious games, alternative realities, and play therapy. The focus is on the use of digital media for the therapeutic benefit and well-being of a wide range of people−spanning those with special needs to the elderly to entire urban neighborhoods. This book brings together these topics to demonstrate the increasing trans/inter/multi-disciplinary initiatives apparent today in science, medicine, and academic research−interdisciplinary initiative that are already profoundly impacting society.