The idea, he said, is for the virtual agent to undertake approximately 1,000 interviews while it is being tested at the Dennis DeConcini Port in Nogales. "So far, we've had a very positive response. Several agents are working very closely with AVATAR. This technology definitely cannot replace a (live) agent, but it certainly can be of great assistance in doing a more efficient job," said Grimes. He added that the applicants who have been interviewed by the virtual agent to date have expressed satisfaction with the procedure, saying that it goes much faster than it otherwise might. "I think that it's like an ATM machine. Twenty years ago many people expressed confusion or fear of using one. Now it's difficult for us to survive without one of them," said the researcher. The virtual agent is an authority figure, but it doesn't seem to intimidate the travelers. The pilot programme will be under way for the next few months in Nogales. When this phase comes to an end, the virtual agent will be taken back to UA, where the information gathered will be analyzed, including what questions people had more trouble answering. The main aim is for this type of virtual agent to be able to be used in the future at other US border crossing points and airports.