L2M – AIDA: Avatar-Integrated Dating App

Online dating platforms struggle to balance emotional intimacy with user privacy. Most rely on static profiles and text-based chats, which lack the non-verbal cues—like gaze, facial expressions, and body language—that are essential for building trust. While video calls attempt to fill this gap, they introduce two critical issues: First, fixed camera angles in conventional video platforms disrupt natural eye contact behavior, weakening interpersonal connection. Second, video reveals users’ real identities prematurely, often before trust has been established.

At York University’s BioMotion Lab, we have been investigating how subtle social signals—especially gaze direction—shape virtual communication. Our research led to the development of AIDA (Avatar-Integrated Dating App), a new platform that uses real-time 3D avatars, computer vision, and MPDepth, a patented rendering technique, to simulate face-to-face conversations with true dynamic eye contact—while preserving user anonymity.

The current MVP supports facial expression mirroring and gaze tracking through floating-head avatars. The next step is to transition this research prototype into a scalable, commercial-ready product. To do so, this project will focus on (1) replacing face-only avatars with full-body avatars, (2) building a platform-independent architecture, (3) ensuring secure, privacy-compliant backend systems, and (4) packaging the technology into an API that can be easily licensed and integrated by dating companies.

This initiative represents a crucial step in moving academic innovation into the marketplace. It will refine the technical infrastructure, validate usability and trust-building benefits, and prepare the technology for commercialization—advancing Canada’s leadership in privacy-respecting, human-centered virtual communication.

Faculty Supervisor:

Nikolaus F Troje

Student:

Partner:

DMZ Ventures Inc

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

York University

Program: