ABSTRACT
Virtual humans are the embodiment of realistic computer-modeled characters for virtual worlds. This chapter explores the applications of virtual humans, components of a virtual human, and work through a concrete example of how to incorporate a virtual human into a virtual environment. It discusses upcoming trends in virtual humans. Virtual humans are used in many fields, including extensively in medicine, psychology, and the military. In medicine, virtual humans are used in training, such as patients and teammates. Creating a virtual reality experience that incorporates virtual humans includes considering the inputs, cognitive model, and outputs for the virtual human and the virtual environment. The virtual environment that the interaction occurs within is critical in developing and setting the context and is critical to achieving social training goals. The virtual environment should focus on establishing a narrative for the social interaction.
