Virtual reality is an illusion. It is a particular type of illusion where the body feels transported to a new location. Modern VR technologies rely on wide fields of view to create this illusion. This has the effect of stimulating our balance system, which creates a very strong immersive experience. However there is a downside. Vision is an analytical sense. Intellectually we may feel that we are inside a VR environment, but rarely do we have fundamental emotional experiences that would make us truly believe we are there. Emotional experiences are an essential part of real-world travel which make us return time and time again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my talk I will discuss some scientific experiments that have created very compelling illusions affecting individual limbs or in some cases the whole body. The methods for creating these illusions rely on convincing the limbic system of the brain, which deals with fundamental emotions and drives, that the experience is urgent and real.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We will discuss some of the essential elements of bodily illusions that have been missed by most VR experiences, and relate how this could be used for believable, and importantly, repeatable virtual travel and metaverse experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n