by the guest editors Ioannis Chatzigiannakis (Sapienza University of Rome and CNIT), Holger Graf (Fraunhofer IGD), Manos Kamarianakis (University of Crete), and Aris Lalos (ISI)
Extended Reality (XR) represents a transformative paradigm in the realm of human-computer interaction, blending and fusing physical and digital worlds to create immersive and interactive experiences. XR encompasses a spectrum of technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), each offering unique capabilities and applications. At its core, XR enables users to engage with digital content in ways that transcend traditional interfaces, opening-up new possibilities for communication, collaboration, and exploration.
The importance of XR lies in its ability to bridge the gap between the virtual and physical realms, unlocking unprecedented opportunities across a wide range of domains. In fields such as education and training, XR offers immersive learning environments that enable students to interact with complex concepts and scenarios in ways that were previously impossible. By simulating real-world experiences, XR enhances retention, comprehension, and skill development, making it a powerful tool for education and professional training.
In addition to its educational applications, XR is revolutionizing industries such as healthcare, architecture, engineering, and entertainment. In healthcare, VR and AR technologies are being used for medical training, surgical simulation, patient rehabilitation, and telemedicine, improving patient outcomes and enhancing the efficiency of healthcare delivery. In architecture and engineering, XR enables designers and engineers to visualize and prototype products and structures in virtual space, streamlining the design process and reducing costs.
Furthermore, XR is driving innovation in entertainment and media, enabling immersive storytelling experiences that blur the lines between fiction and reality. From interactive VR games to AR-enhanced cinema experiences, XR is reshaping how we consume and interact with digital content, offering new forms of entertainment and engagement.
Beyond its commercial and recreational applications, XR has the potential to address pressing societal challenges, from environmental conservation to social justice. By leveraging XR technologies, researchers and activists can raise awareness, foster empathy, and drive positive change in areas such as climate change, human rights, and cultural preservation.
In summary, XR represents a groundbreaking shift in how we interact with technology and perceive the world around us. By combining virtual and physical realities, XR offers endless possibilities for innovation, creativity, and exploration. As XR continues to evolve, its impact on industries, society, and the way we experience the world will only continue to grow, shaping the future of human-computer interaction and ushering in a new era of immersive experiences.
New approaches that combine advanced AI methods, computer vision and computer graphic techniques enhance the visual representation of 3D scenes and allow for fast 3D photorealistic reconstructions, almost instantly. Such instant 3D reconstructions (resp. instant XR environments) help in re-generating static and dynamic scenes, allow for highest visual fidelity and enable digital restoration of missing geometry or missing material, e.g. within the cultural heritage domain. Those approaches also allow for synthetic training pipelines that enable a better training of neural networks for a diversity of AI domains, such as object detection, classification, 6D pose estimation and XR driven environment perception tasks. Applications here are typically found in the manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sectors.
Virtual and augmented reality monitoring and planning systems offer innovative solutions for enhancing situational awareness and optimizing processes in various sectors, including transportation and infrastructure. By integrating VR/AR technologies with data analytics and visualization tools, organizations can streamline operations, improve safety measures, and enhance decision-making capabilities. This holistic approach to monitoring and planning represents a significant step forward in addressing the complexities of modern-day challenges.
In traffic environments, the concept of cooperative situational awareness using AR technologies has gained traction, leveraging the connectivity of autonomous vehicles and V2X communication protocols. By enabling real-time information sharing among vehicles, AR systems enhance driver awareness and reduce the likelihood of accidents. This collaborative approach not only improves overall system efficiency but also fosters a safer and more interconnected transportation ecosystem.
Immersive virtual colonoscopy represents a transformative advancement in medical imaging and diagnosis, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional procedures. By leveraging VR technology, radiologists can navigate three-dimensional reconstructions of the colon with enhanced visualization and measurement capabilities. This enables early detection of colorectal abnormalities and facilitates timely intervention, potentially saving lives and improving patient outcomes.
In each of these areas, researchers are pushing the boundaries of XR technology to address real-world challenges and improve outcomes across diverse domains. By harnessing the power of immersive experiences and advanced data analytics, they are unlocking new possibilities for training, education, decision-making, and patient care. As these technologies continue to evolve, the impact of XR on industries and society at large is poised to grow exponentially, driving innovation and shaping the future of human-computer interaction.
Cooperative situational awareness in traffic environments using AR technologies has become increasingly important with the rise of connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs). A new method has been proposed to enhance driver awareness and safety through cooperative information sharing among vehicles. By leveraging V2X communication infrastructures, AR systems enable real-time data exchange, allowing vehicles to relay valuable observations and warnings to one another, ultimately reducing the risk of accidents and improving traffic flow.
In conclusion, XR technologies are driving innovation across diverse domains, from engineering and transportation to medicine and healthcare. This special theme showcases how researchers are tackling complex challenges and revolutionizing the way we interact with information and the world around us by leveraging immersive experiences and advanced data analytics. As XR continues to evolve, its impact on industries and society will only continue to grow, shaping the future of human-computer interaction and opening up new possibilities for innovation and discovery.
Please contact:
Ioannis Chatzigiannakis, Sapienza University of Rome and CNIT, Italy
Holger Graf, Fraunhofer IGD, Germany
Manos Kamarianakis, University of Crete, Greece
Aris Lalos, ISI, Greece
