We are delighted to introduce this special section of Computers & Graphics, which presents extended versions of the best papers selected from the 20th EuroXR International Conference (EuroXR 2023). The conference was held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, from November 29 to December 1, 2023, co-located with the Immersive Tech Week. It continues a rich tradition of EuroXR events focused on advances in Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality (VR, AR, MR), collectively referred to as Extended Reality (XR). Since its inception in 2004 under the INTUITION Network of Excellence and subsequent evolution into the EuroXR International Conference, the event has consistently served as a platform to present cutting-edge research, foster collaborations among academia, industry, and public institutions, and promote the adoption of XR technologies across various domains.
The scientific track of EuroXR 2023 maintained a rigorous review process to ensure high quality and impact. A total of 42 papers were submitted to the scientific program, out of which 14 were accepted (an acceptance rate of 33%) across different categories: long, medium, and short papers. Each submission underwent a thorough double-blind peer review process by at least three independent experts, followed by a rebuttal phase and final discussions among the reviewers. The scientific program chairs then made final decisions based on comprehensive meta-reviews. A dedicated Best Papers Awards Committee subsequently evaluated the accepted papers, identifying outstanding contributions, which were then invited for significant extension and re-review for publication in this special section of Computers & Graphics.
The two articles presented here exemplify the diversity and high quality of research at EuroXR 2023:
Enhancing anatomy learning through collaborative VR? An advanced investigation by Haya Almaree, Roland Fischer, René Weller, Verena Uslar, Dirk Weyhe, and Gabriel Zachmann explores the potential benefits of collaborative VR learning environments in medical education. The authors developed a multi-user VR Anatomy Atlas and conducted two comprehensive user studies comparing individual and collaborative learning modes. Their findings offer valuable insights into the effectiveness, usability, and motivational aspects of collaborative VR learning, suggesting that although collaboration does not necessarily enhance learning outcomes or motivation in anatomy education, it opens important questions regarding cognitive load and system usability that require further research.
Psychophysiology of rhythmic stimuli and time experience in virtual reality by Stéven Picard and Jean Botev investigates how rhythmic auditory and visual stimuli influence users' perception of time and task performance within VR environments. The authors systematically analyze the interplay between sensory stimuli, physiological responses (such as eye-tracking data and body temperature), and subjective time estimation. Their results reveal nuanced relationships between stimulus modality, tempo, fatigue, and time perception, offering promising directions for designing VR environments that strategically modulate user experience through rhythm and sensory cues.
Collectively, these papers highlight valuable advancements at the intersection of XR technology, human factors, education, and psychophysiology. They demonstrate how XR can be leveraged not only to improve learning and interaction but also to deepen our understanding of human cognitive and sensory experiences in immersive contexts.
We express our sincere gratitude to all the authors for their outstanding contributions and to the reviewers for their thorough work in maintaining the high standards of Computers & Graphics. We also extend special thanks to the EuroXR 2023 Organizing Committee and the Immersive Tech Week team for hosting a vibrant conference that successfully bridged research, practice, and innovation in Extended Reality.
For further information about EuroXR and future conferences, please visit the official EuroXR Association website at https://www.euroxr-association.org.
We hope that readers will find these contributions as inspiring and thought-provoking as we did.