People with autism or schizophrenia often suffer from problems in dealing with others. To improve their communications skills, doctors and computer scientists are now testing the use of a ‘digital twin’ in the EU research project, AlterEgo. The idea is that people find it easier to interact with a counterpart who is similar to them. The researchers use 3D full-body scanners to create a virtual, animated image of the patient, with which the patient then interacts in a fun way. The avatar is then gradually distorted and replaced by a robot. With success: tests show that this combination of virtual and real worlds improves the patients’ social interaction and thus their quality of life.