Avatars are used both as expressions of self and as external digital assistants or companions. Avatar realism in both look and action has matured. With the evolution toward digital companions and the greater use of immersive communication platforms, their use in everyday tasks will continue to grow.
But the needs and requirements of avatars are dependent upon the implementation.
This report looks at publicly published UX research into avatars from the past year along with analysis on what is forthcoming in making avatars more realistic and how they should be implemented based on context of use.