01
Avatar Embodiment
The research will investigate how using an avatar may influence embodiment, self-representation, and interaction in virtual reality.
XR ProjectsAvatar PhDPhD
Upcoming PhD Research · October 2026
Inria Rennes – Bretagne Atlantique · SEAMLESS
Rennes, France
Perception and Interactionthrough Avatars in Virtual Reality
Avatar Embodiment · Immersive Digital Twins · 3D Interaction
Supervision
Dr. Anatole Lécuyer
Main Supervisor
Research Director · Inria Centre at Rennes University · Scientific leader of the Hybrid team
Assoc. Prof. Rebecca Fribourg
Co-supervisor
Associate Professor · Ecole Centrale de Nantes · LS2N / PACCE · External collaborator with Inria Rennes SEAMLESS
Project Overview
The research will investigate how using an avatar influences perception and interaction in immersive virtual environments reconstructed from digital twins. The project aims to connect avatar embodiment, spatial perception, and 3D interaction design through planned controlled user studies.
Role
PhD Researcher — starting October 2026
Context
Upcoming PhD Research · October 2026
Duration
October 2026 – September 2029
Areas
Avatar Embodiment · Digital Twins · 3D Interaction · User Studies
Research Context
The project will be hosted at Inria Centre at Rennes University within the SEAMLESS research environment. It will be situated within the JUNN national project on digital twins, with planned research centred on avatar-mediated perception and interaction in immersive VR.
Research Objectives
02
Perception in Digital Twins
Future studies will examine perception of scale, space, spatial properties, and environmental ambiance in immersive environments reconstructed from digital twins.
03
Shared Interaction
The project aims to study interaction with complex 3D content and with other users in shared virtual environments through an avatar.
Planned Research Approach
The planned work will combine interaction design, immersive VR prototyping, controlled user studies, and statistical analysis to examine how avatars shape perception and action in digital twin environments.
01
Interaction Design
The planned work will include the design of natural, efficient, and expressive 3D interaction techniques for avatar-mediated virtual reality.
02
Experimental Protocols
Future user studies will be designed to evaluate avatar-based interaction and perception under controlled experimental conditions.
03
Data Analysis
The interaction techniques will be evaluated through statistical analysis of experimental data collected during future user studies.
Expected Research Contribution
01
Methodological Value
The project aims to contribute methods for studying avatar-mediated perception and interaction in immersive digital twin environments.
02
Interaction Frameworks
The planned work will explore interaction principles for navigating, manipulating, and understanding complex 3D content through an avatar.
03
Evaluation Practice
Future user studies will examine how controlled experimental design and statistical analysis can inform avatar-based VR interaction research.