At the frontier of extended reality (XR), the HEAT European research project is pushing the boundaries of immersion. In collaboration with Immersion, one of our key industry partners, we’re exploring how to make virtual experiences not just seen, but felt, heard, and even sensed in new ways.
Historically, immersion in XR has been dominated by visual fidelity. But as our understanding of human perception deepens, it’s clear that true immersion must engage multiple senses. This is exactly where Immersion’s latest work fits in.
As part of the HEAT project’s mission to redefine immersive experiences within hyper-realistic, navigable, and omnidirectional 3D environments, Immersion has developed a pre-pilot multisensory prototype that brings XR one step closer to full-body engagement. Inspired by Morton Heilig’s pioneering 1962 Sensorama system, which used a mix of visuals, sound, scent, vibration, and airflow, this new device integrates synchronised sound, wind, and vibration to intensify the user’s sense of presence.
The potential applications are vast. The prototype is already being tested in pre-pilots. These early trials will help us evaluate how multisensory design can enrich storytelling, education, and live performance.
Learn more about the multimodal chair from the HEAT project by Immersion.
