A Method for Co-designing Immersive VR Environments with Users Excluded from the Main Technological Discourse

Abstract With the advent of new interfaces and modes of interaction related to virtual, augmented and mixed reality (VR, AR, MR) or voice user interfaces (VUI) a need to explore new approaches to foster rapid software prototyping and development emerges. Drawing from our experiences in human, cooperative, and collaborative aspects of software engineering, based on IT-empowerment and participatory design with older and younger adults, we propose and examine some methods, practices and tools for co-designing software for the immersive extended reality continuum (XR), including VR, AR or VUI. In a series of empirical and field studies we examined various experimental setups for stakeholders’ participation within and across different steps and phases of the software development process for immersive extended reality environments (IERE). In this article we provide an overview of selected methods, practices and tools, that we found best support communication, collaboration, and cooperation among stakeholders, especially the members of vulnerable groups who are often excluded from the main technological discourse and need more empowerment.