PRESENCED1. 2 Human centred Development Phase II - Intermediate User Testing, Presence Evaluation, Ethics, Trust & Privacy

The primary aim of Work Package (WP) 1 is to lead the human-centred development process that underpins the entire PRESENCE project. WP1 provides the methodological framework and empirical foundation for evaluating and refining the technologies developed in WP2 (Holoportation), WP3 (Haptics), and WP4 (Intelligent Virtual Humans). By conducting iterative user testing, presence evaluations, and requirement validation, WP1 ensures that all technological components are aligned with end-user needs, ethical standards, and contextual constraints. This feedback directly informs the integration and demonstration activities in WP5. Deliverable D1.2 presents an intermediate report on WP1 activities, building on the outcomes of D1.1. It includes insights from usability and user experience (UX) testing, the activities related to trustworthiness and robustness of AI, the first iteration of presence evaluation, and a validation of requirements across the four use case (UC) domains: (i) Professional Collaboration, (ii) Manufacturing Training, (iii) Health (Pain Relief), and (iv) Cultural Heritage. In addition, D1.2 provides an updated planning for future iterations and outlines where key ethical, trust, and privacy concerns emerge in relation to UCs, stakeholder needs, and technological components. As the central coordination point for user testing and evaluation, WP1 plays a pivotal role in guiding the development and deployment of PRESENCE's two demonstrators by delivering validated feedback loops, experimental protocols, and context-aware design input.