Canada’s
ar, vr and spatial computing industry,
in focus.

Metaverse Conceptual Challenges

23.9% of this theme group

Researchers discuss social, educational, and interaction issues surrounding the emerging metaverse.

Metaverse (1,161) · Possible world (120) · Social worlds (91) · Human–computer interaction (344)

The Metaverse: Challenges and Opportunities for AI to Shape the Virtual Future

Embracing Metaverse Education: Transforming the Landscape of Learning

VR Perception and Acceptance

16.9% of this theme group

Studies examine how users perceive virtual environments and factors influencing technology adoption.

Virtual reality (692) · Perception (96) · Virtual world (80) · Immersion (43)

Older Adults’ Experiences with Audiovisual Virtual Reality: Perceived Usefulness and Other Factors Influencing Technology Acceptance

Visual Perceptual Confidence: Exploring Discrepancies Between Self-reported and Actual Distance Perception In Virtual Reality

AR/MR Interaction Limits

15.4% of this theme group

Works highlight constraints in context‑aware augmented and mixed reality experiences.

Augmented reality (712) · Mixed reality (90) · Human–computer interaction (201) · Virtual reality (194)

Towards Pervasive Augmented Reality: Context-Awareness in Augmented Reality

AUGMENTED REALITY REVOLUTIONIZING LANGUAGE SERVICES: AN IN-DEPTH EXPLORATION

Digital Media Transformation

14.0% of this theme group

Analyses explore how immersive technologies reshape narratives and workplace risk assessments.

Emerging technologies (65) · Digital transformation (28) · Narrative (39) · Digital media (24)

Survey of Immersive Analytics

Digital and Virtual Technologies for Work-Related Biomechanical Risk Assessment: A Scoping Review

VR in Education and Training

10.2% of this theme group

Papers address obstacles to using virtual reality for teaching and skill development.

Virtual reality (421) · Training (91) · Virtual learning environment (32) · Medical education (36)

Virtual Reality in The University Classroom: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities For Teaching in Higher Education

ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY OF TRAINING USING VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION

HCI and Graphics Barriers

9.9% of this theme group

Research identifies usability and rendering challenges in virtual reality interfaces.

Human–computer interaction (474) · Virtual reality (473) · Multimedia (94) · Computer graphics (72)

The Re-Emergence of Virtual Reality

Virtual reality in education: opportunities and challenges

VR Rehabilitation Constraints

9.5% of this theme group

Reviews discuss limitations of virtual reality therapies for physical and cognitive recovery.

Virtual reality (376) · Rehabilitation (77) · Psychological intervention (67) · Physical medicine and rehabilitation (35)

Virtual Reality-Based Interventions to Improve Balance in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review

Patient-centered insights into virtual reality rehabilitation for stroke: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis

Perceptual and Avatar Risks

19.2% of this theme group

Authors caution about how immersion and avatar design can affect perception and behavior.

Virtual reality (419) · Perception (117) · Avatar (42) · Virtual machine (21)

Using virtual reality to augment perception, enhance sensorimotor adaptation, and change our minds

The Mediating Effect of Immersion in Virtual Reality Environments: Relationships among Social Presence, Perceived Enjoyment, and Intention t

Clinical VR Safety

18.6% of this theme group

Studies warn of methodological and safety concerns when applying VR in medical settings.

Virtual reality (398) · Rehabilitation (66) · Physical medicine and rehabilitation (62) · Randomized controlled trial (52)

Virtual reality for persistent pain: A new direction for behavioral pain management

Assessing the Use and Acceptability of Virtual Reality to Assist Coping in Children Undergoing Clinical Procedures

AR Educational Evaluation

15.7% of this theme group

Researchers call for rigorous assessment of augmented reality tools in learning contexts.

Augmented reality (386) · Human–computer interaction (81) · Mathematics education (23) · Visualization (24)

Perspectives on how to evaluate augmented reality technology tools for education: a systematic review

Augmented reality in engineering education: enhancing learning and application

VR Curriculum Integration

13.9% of this theme group

Works highlight challenges of aligning immersive technology with existing educational programs.

Virtual reality (308) · Educational technology (36) · Curriculum (32) · Training (38)

Systematic Review: Influences of Fully Immersive Virtual Reality on Students’ Motivation in Learning Science

Unlocking the potential of virtual reality in education: Insights from teachers and recommendations for integration

Data‑Driven Virtual Interactions

11.9% of this theme group

Papers examine methodological issues in using big data and robotics within virtual spaces.

Robot (18) · Big data (8) · Cognition (26) · Perception (32)

Syncing online: A methodological investigation into movement synchrony, proxemics, and self-other blurring in virtual spaces

Mixed reality‐based technology to visualize and facilitate treatment planning of impacted teeth: Proof of concept

Collaboration in Virtual Environments

10.5% of this theme group

Analyses discuss obstacles to effective teamwork and multimedia use in VR.

Human–computer interaction (253) · Virtual reality (255) · Multimedia (41) · Computer graphics (37)

Learning in Virtual Reality

Collaboration in Virtual Reality: Survey and Perspectives

Metaverse Learning Limits

10.1% of this theme group

Authors explore practical and pedagogical constraints of using the metaverse for education.

Metaverse (256) · Social worlds (18) · Possible world (15) · Human–computer interaction (72)

Educational applications of metaverse: possibilities and limitations

Utilization of the metaverse in the context of interactive learning

AR for Interactive Learning

20.4% of this theme group

Research showcases how augmented reality can enrich mathematics and mixed‑reality education.

Augmented reality (1,163) · Human–computer interaction (332) · Mathematics education (87) · Mixed reality (81)

Exploring Interactive Learning Environments Based on Augmented Reality Technology

Augmented Reality in Education: Enhancing Learning Experiences

VR Visualization Advances

17.6% of this theme group

Papers present new techniques for perception, rendering, and narrative immersion in virtual reality.

Virtual reality (798) · Visualization (135) · Perception (103) · Rendering (73)

Modeling the Impact of Head-Body Rotations on Audio-Visual Spatial Perception for Virtual Reality Applications

Optimizing Scene Transitions for Sustained Narrative Immersion in Virtual Reality Films

Wearable Haptic Interfaces

16.2% of this theme group

Works explore tactile sensors and rendering pipelines for immersive mixed‑reality interaction.

Rendering (61) · Wearable computer (49) · Wired glove (24) · Workflow (47)

Neuromorphic\nComputing-Assisted Triboelectric Capacitive-Coupled\nTactile Sensor Array for Wireless Mixed Reality Interaction

Tactile Sensing and\nRendering Patch with Dynamic and\nStatic Sensing and Haptic Feedback for Immersive Communication

VR Mental‑Health Applications

13.7% of this theme group

Studies investigate virtual reality as a tool for assessing and treating anxiety and related disorders.

Virtual reality (696) · Rehabilitation (126) · Physical medicine and rehabilitation (77) · Anxiety (84)

Virtual reality in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of mental health disorders

A Case Study Utilizing Virtual Reality to Reduce Behavioral Symptoms and Brainwave Activity Related to Anxiety

VR Training Simulations

12.3% of this theme group

Research highlights immersive simulations that improve engagement and learning outcomes.

Virtual reality (574) · Training (112) · Instructional simulation (37) · Curriculum (47)

Virtual Reality Simulation

Immersive Learning Environment: Investigating Student Engagement, Retention and Learning Outcomes in Using Virtual Reality (VR) and Augement

HCI‑Driven VR Experiences

11.7% of this theme group

Papers examine how presence, movement, and performance interact in virtual tasks.

Human–computer interaction (614) · Virtual reality (621) · Computer graphics (110) · Multimedia (107)

A UTILIZAÇÃO DE REALIDADE VIRTUAL E AUMENTADA PARA APRENDER

The Complex Interaction Between the Sense of Presence, Movement Features, and Performance in a Virtual Reality Spatial Task: A Preliminary S

Metaverse for Professional Use

8.2% of this theme group

Works describe adaptable virtual platforms for medical education, branding, and social interaction.

Metaverse (446) · Human–computer interaction (158) · Possible world (17) · Social worlds (18)

The Metaverse: An efficient and adaptable virtual reality platform for medical education and treatment

Building Brand Experiences in the Metaverse

Toronto

36.6% across the displayed hubs

9 companies hiring · $135.4M disclosed funding

Vancouver

23.7% across the displayed hubs

4 companies hiring · $61.5M disclosed funding

Montreal

21.1% across the displayed hubs

9 companies hiring · $81.0M disclosed funding

Winnipeg

4.4% across the displayed hubs

0 companies hiring · $31.0M disclosed funding

Ottawa

4.4% across the displayed hubs

1 companies hiring · $2.7M disclosed funding

Waterloo

3.8% across the displayed hubs

2 companies hiring · $39.1M disclosed funding

Calgary

3.2% across the displayed hubs

1 companies hiring · $23.7M disclosed funding

Victoria

2.8% across the displayed hubs

1 companies hiring · $2.8M disclosed funding