2/5/2025 | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Grand Peninsula D

Look around you! Situating extended reality within the urban fabric

Author(s)

Carolina Ramirez-Figueroa | Royal College of Art
Campbell Orme | Meta Reality Labs

Abstract

Extended Reality (XR) technologies are revolutionising our interactions with digital content, transforming how we perceive reality, and enhancing our problem-solving capabilities. However, many XR applications remain technology-driven, often disregarding the broader context of their use and failing to address fundamental human needs. In this paper, we present a teaching-led design project that asks students to explore the future of XR through low-fidelity prototypes with a focus on observed human needs derived from six specific locations in central London. By looking at the city and built environment as lenses for exploring everyday scenarios, the project encourages design provocations rooted in real-world challenges. Through this exploration, we aim to inspire new perspectives on the future states of XR, advocating for human-centred, inclusive, and accessible solutions. By bridging the gap between technological innovation and lived experience, this project outlines a pathway toward XR technologies that prioritise societal benefit and address real human needs.