Designing Multi‑Reality Futures: Speculative Explorations of Seamless and Meaningful XR Experiences

Abstract

As XR technologies continuously evolve, research has increasingly examined XR systems that integrate multiple forms of reality. This has given rise to the concept of "multi‑reality", an experience that span user interactions across the Reality-Virtuality (RV) continuum: reality, augmented reality (AR), augmented virtuality (AV), and virtual reality (VR). One central design challenge within this emerging concept is managing transitions: how to support users as they move between realities and how these transitions impact their overall experience. Therefore, this workshop aims to open a critical dialogue around the gaps, challenges, and opportunities involved in designing such experiences. Through a speculative design approach, this workshop invites researchers, designers, and practitioners from diverse fields to envision multi‑reality futures and critically reflect their implications across multiple dimensions, such as economic, societal, technological, environmental, and ethical aspects. The outcomes of the workshop will contribute to a more extensive exploration of multi-reality design space, highlighting key opportunities, challenges, and future research direction.