SEICOS: semantically enriched interactive collaborative online shopping

In this paper we investigate the potential benefits from integrating Semantic Web technologies into the context of collaboration in virtual 3D environments. We provide a prototype e-commerce solution, the Seicos system, based on the SecondLife client and the OpenSimulator server. In the system, semantic information is retrieved and integrated from multiple heterogeneous sources and subsequently cached and accessed using Semantic Web methods. The semantic information gathered by our system can support the customer and is integrated into a knowledge base which is used for processing queries. The conducted user study indicates that the system succeeds in providing a sense of co-presence to the customer, when searching for goods. The availability of additional semantic data on product related information is perceived particularly helpful.