Immersion Through Extended Reality as a Tool Applied to Wayfinding Inside Hospitals

Health centers and their routes tend to generate stress for users due to the complexity of navigating these spaces. In addition, the lack of information and the impossibility of previewing the right path, have negative influence on user’s experience. However, Extended Reality (XR) gives the opportunity to guide users by clarifying these paths and even accompanying them through it. Throughout recent years, new technologies are being applied for building 3D models and simulating 3D spaces to make virtual visits, as it happens in real estate sales, where through 360-degree views and the associated photographic technologies, and using specialized processing and assembly software, it is possible to visit homes for sale or museums, just applying the same concepts. These applications are limited to a degree of immersion that we classify as level 1, that just permits to visit and navigate the 3D model interacting with a screen by means of Augmented Reality (AR). More-over, Virtual Reality (VR) opens the possibility to increase the immersion level and to join the user during his journey by means of different devices. For level 2, instructions for using headphones can be provided to the user along his way just geolocating his position inside the building. For level 3, the use of headphones and special glasses increases the possibilities of immersion and shows the route to follow by using both acoustic and visual procedures. This classification in immersion degrees can be associated with the various needs of users, especially with those who are the most vulnerable. It can be considered as a guide that is structured by layers, where the basic level is Augmented Reality (AR) that depends on simple devices. For increasing degrees of immersion, support devices and Virtual Reality (VR) must be added. On the other hand, the layers flexibility permits to combine the usability of these devices according to the needs or prefer-ences of each user, covering all possible vulnerabilities. To proceed with such virtual aids, it is essential to use Extended Reality (XR) together with Artificial Intelligence (AI), GPS technology and 3D modeling. These tools, when accompanied by the adequate signage, will make navigating inside and outside health centers a less stressful experience for users. The Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital (HUPA) in Alcalá de Henares (Spain) is used as a case study.