Expanding sensory experiences in virtual environments | Computer Weekly

"Truly multisensory environments require comprehensive technology approaches to address a variety of senses. This requirement creates new opportunities for developers of devices and applications, but also faces substantial hurdles for technological reasons, cost considerations and consumers' readiness to engage with such environments. Many researchers and developers are taking up the challenge, and are working on a wide range of offerings to address human senses in more comprehensive ways than current applications allow for."

"Multisensory technologies are under investigation to expand the ways individuals can interact with digital and virtual applications. Multisensory interfaces and environments have been research and development topics for a long time. Olfactory, haptics and tactile interfaces are available, and even wind- and temperature-interface efforts exist. Currently, these types of interfaces are relegated to niche applications or small market pockets. But virtual environments and novel technology approaches could result in diffusion of such applications to a wider range of users."

Human understanding and interactions rely on familiar real-world experiences, while digital-skill levels vary widely across populations. Comprehensively multisensory engagements combine extended reality (XR) and in real life (IRL) to produce immersive experiences perceived as an amalgamation of virtual and real worlds. Multisensory environments can enable inclusive interactions for users with disabilities who face barriers to commonplace computing technologies. Truly multisensory systems require comprehensive technology approaches across many senses, creating opportunities for device and application developers but facing technical, cost, and consumer-adoption hurdles. Existing olfactory, haptic, tactile, wind, and temperature interfaces remain niche, but diffusion toward broader use is beginning.

Read at ComputerWeekly.com