Virtual touch experiences and embodiment

This project aims to enhance inclusive design practices by using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tools to foster perspective-taking among designers.

Specifically, we focus on virtual bodily illusions, such as the rubber hand illusion in a virtual setting. These illusions rely on creating a sense of Presence, Ownership, and Agency (POA), key components that make users feel as if the virtual body they inhabit is their own.

We will develop and test an automated virtual touch system, using the latest in AR/VR technology to enable realistic sensory experiences without physical feedback. Using devices such as UltraLeap's Stratos Explore and Inspire for virtual touch in combination with widely available VR headsets such as the Oculus Quest 2, we will investigate how virtual touch and movement influence the user's experience of the avatar in virtual reality.