The Relaxation Island is a prototype developed within EMMA project, in cooperation with Goldsmiths College , England . The relaxation island is an interactive virtual environment intended to offer a space where immersants can practice different forms of relaxation techniques. The idea is that the virtual environment will have a calming effect on the user, thus creating a suiting therapeutic setting. In this setting users will receive spoken instructions guiding them through relaxation techniques such as progressive muscular relaxation (PMR) and breathing techniques. The finished prototype will be tested for therapeutic purposes.

The model
The Relaxation Island is designed as a calm and sunny tropical island, with a sandy beach, tropical waterfall and a gentle breeze blowing through the palm trees. The user navigates the island by using the “Sea Shell”, and can choose between the different relaxation techniques through a graphical menu.

The Sea Shell
It is possible to navigate Relaxation Island using a standard keyboard but in order to keep navigation/interaction as simple and as little threatening as possible we have developed the Sea Shell. The Sea Shell is a wireless navigation device in the shape of a sea shell. Inside there is a pearl working as a small joystick, with which the user can navigate the island and use menus.