Special Sessions

Next-Generation Healthcare: VR and Natural User Interfaces for Enhanced Patient Experience

Overview

This special session will focus on the application of Virtual Reality (VR) and Natural User Interfaces (NUIs) to enhance the overall healthcare experience, including patient and their families’ experience, respective therapeutic outcomes and overall healthcare delivery. As the healthcare industry increasingly adopts immersive technologies, this session essentially aims to highlight cutting-edge research, practical implementations, and emerging trends in the use of VR and NUIs, such as AI systems, gesture control, voice interaction, and haptics, in healthcare settings. We also aim to identify research and technology adoption challenges in this domain.

Topics of Interest

Contributions are invited on a broad range of topics related to the use of VR and NUIs in healthcare where Intelligent Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning might be present as a cross-cutting theme. We welcome submissions in, but not limited to, the following topics:

  • VR for Pain Management and Therapy: Applications of VR in managing chronic pain, anxiety, and stress, as well as in physical and occupational therapy.
  • Natural User Interfaces in Healthcare: The use of NUIs, such as gesture-based controls, voice recognition, and haptics, to create intuitive and accessible patient interfaces.
  • Patient-Centered VR Experiences: Design and evaluation of VR environments that are tailored to individual patient needs, enhancing their comfort and engagement.
  • Rehabilitation and Recovery: VR and NUIs in post-operative care, physical rehabilitation, and cognitive training for patients with neurological disorders.
  • Mental Health and Well-being: The role of immersive VR experiences in treating mental health conditions such as PTSD, phobias, and depression.
  • Educational VR for Patients and Healthcare Providers: Use of VR to educate patients about medical procedures, conditions, and wellness, as well as training tools for healthcare professionals.
  • Data-Driven Personalization: Leveraging AI and data analytics to tailor VR and NUI experiences to individual patient profiles, improving treatment effectiveness.
  • Usability and Accessibility: Ensuring VR and NUIs are accessible to diverse populations, including the elderly and individuals with disabilities, through inclusive design principles.
  • Ethical and Privacy Considerations: Addressing the ethical implications and privacy challenges associated with immersive patient experiences in healthcare.

Organizers

  • Jorge Cardoso, University of Coimbra, Portugal
  • André Perrotta, University of Coimbra, Portugal

Intelligent Reality and Digital Presence in Industrial, Teaching, and Smart Environments

Overview

This special session will explore the transformative impact of intelligent reality technologies and digital presence in various sectors, including industry, education, and smart environments. As the line between the physical and digital worlds blurs, these innovations are reshaping how we interact, learn, and work. In industrial settings, intelligent reality solutions such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are streamlining processes, enhancing productivity, and optimizing workflows. In education, immersive digital environments are revolutionizing teaching methods, offering students interactive and engaging experiences that boost learning outcomes. Smart environments, from homes to cities, are integrating digital presence and intelligent systems to create more efficient, responsive, and adaptive spaces. This session will bring together experts from academia, industry, and policy to discuss cutting-edge research, applications, and the future potential of these technologies. Attendees will gain insights into real-world case studies, innovative use cases, and the challenges of integrating intelligent realities in diverse environments.

Topics of Interest

Authors are invited to submit original contributions on, but not limited to, the following areas:

  • Augmented Reality (AR) in Industrial Operations
  • Virtual Reality (VR) for Employee Training and Simulation
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Smart Factories
  • Digital Twins in Industrial Applications
  • Immersive Learning Technologies in Education
  • AI-Enhanced Personalization in E-Learning Platforms
  • Smart Classrooms and IoT-Driven Learning Spaces
  • Virtual Presence and Remote Collaboration in Smart Workplaces
  • Smart Cities: Enhancing Urban Spaces with Digital Presence
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in Intelligent and Smart Environments
  • Challenges in Integrating Intelligent Reality in Industry and Education
  • Ethics and Privacy in Intelligent and Smart Environments
  • XR Technologies for Workplace Wellbeing and Productivity
  • AI and Machine Learning for Adaptive Smart Environments
  • Interdisciplinary Approaches to Intelligent Reality Implementation

Organizers

  • Paulo Menezes, University of Coimbra, Portugal
  • Gustavo Assunção, University of Coimbra, Portugal
  • Nuno Miguel Rodrigues, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Portugal