Thematic Session 4

THEMATIC SESSION #04

Andres Bustillo

Universidad de Burgos, Spain

• abustillo@ubu.es

Andreas Künz

Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Austria

• andreas.kuenz@fhv.at

Alejandro Álvarez-Marín

University of La Serena, Chile

• aalvarez@userena.cl

Tasks like learning or training can be improved in Virtual Reality (VR) interactive environments in a safe, autonomous, and customized way. New trends in this kind of learning environments, like the use of biosignals, machine learning technologies or design of the VR experience for learning from mistakes could play a major role to enhance the user´s performance goals.

The call of this Special Session is addressed to all that studies that involve the use of any novel strategy to enhance performance of VR experiences for learning or training. We invite researchers, educators, industry professionals, and students to submit abstracts that relate to these topics and share their insights and experiences with the community. The special session will provide a platform for cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange, fostering the advancement of VR experiences designed for learning or training.

The session will cover a variety of topics including but not limited to:

• Machine learning algorithms in VR applications for learning and training
• Bio-signals acquisition and processing in VR applications for learning and training
• Experience Design for learning: learning from mistakes
• Occupational Health and Safety with VR applications
• Training in Industry with VR applications
• VR for learning: new applications and concepts

Andres Bustillo is Full-Professor at the Computer Engineering Department of the University of Burgos (Spain). His research interests are focused on the application of machine learning techniques and extended reality interactive environments to industry, teaching and cultural heritage among others. His scientific work has resulted in authorship of over 50 publications.

Andreas Künz is lecturer and research assistant in the Human-Centered Technologies Research Center at the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Austria and responsible for the XR lab. He has studied media design and communication at the same institution until 2003. His working, research and educational focus is set on Extended Reality, 3D computer graphics, technology- and game-based learning, and human-computer interaction. He was and is part of several different international teaching and research projects focusing on serious games, health technologies, XR, etc.

Alejandro Álvarez-Marín is Full-Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineer-ing at the University of La Serena (Chile). He holds a PhD in Information and Com-munication Technologies from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain). His research in-terests focus on digital transformation and the use of emerging technologies—particularly Virtual and Augmented Reality—applied to learning, engineering educa-tion, and occupational safety. He is the author of several scientific publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and is actively involved in research projects on immersive technologies and performance analytics in training environments.