In the far future, funeral wakes will continue to be held at HDB void-decks. A special device extracts memories recalled by speakers during their testimonies for the deceased and tracked the emotions experienced by the speaker through their biological responses such as facial expressions, heart rate variations, tone, body temperature, and more. The same device can also be worn by other participants to track their emotional responses to a told story. The AI system creates the virtual persona of the deceased based on all the positive memories of him.
An open, multi-storey roof park sits above every HDB building. Residents/visitors who wish to connect with the deceased will wear a VR and the same tracker device to enter an assigned room to engage with the virtual avatar. The altar room acts as a therapy room where the virtual avatar only behaves in positive and constructive manner. When negative emotions are detected in visitors, the avatar will be prompted to console the visitor. Positive memories with the deceased can also be replayed in the altar rooms.
The objective of this system is to assist individuals in navigating and overcoming grief, reassuring them that their memories with the deceased will not be lost. The interaction with avatars aims to help people remain hopeful and motivated in life, allowing individuals to feel that the deceased is still watching over them and with them spiritually.
Narrative
“Today is our bookout day” everyone echoed as they marched towards the ferry terminal. John’s 3 weeks of confinement has finally ended. Soon, chatters began filling the terminal. John could only watch in jealousy as families cuddled with their sons, with questions of care.“Did you eat proper meals in Tekong?”“You’ve became skinnier!” “Let’s get going, we’ve prepared your favourite dishes at home”. He could only imagine, his parents doing the same, had they been here. However, they had left him due to a plane crash 3 years ago. John could not wait to go home so he bade goodbye to his friends and booked an uber home.
When John reached his block, he took the lift and went up to the rooftop of his HDB without delay. He put on a pair of VR goggles and a device that analyses his emotions in real time. His neighbour walked out from the nearest altar room and greeted him with a huge grin on his face, "Visiting your parents today?". "Yup!" John nodded and smiled.
The goggles authenticated his identity and a list of familiar names appeared on the screen. His parents’, grandparents, great grandparents' names popped up on the screen. He chose an available room from the list and visit his father’s altar.
The goggles authenticated his identity and a list of familiar names appeared on the screen. His parents’, grandparents, great grandparents' names popped up on the screen. He chose an available room from the list and visit his father’s altar.
He was glad he could finally update his father about his life and he ranted about his horrible experience the past few weeks in camp. Soon a virtual entrance appeared behind the altar in the VR. He proceeded to enter the virtual room. It was a large spacious room that was playing a memory of John's father from Uncle Sam's perspective during their army days. His father was resilient when faced with setbacks which were many times worse than his own’s. That inspired John to persevere on. He knows that his father would have encouraged him the same way if he was still present. He walked home confidently with his heart full, knowing he is never alone.
