SUN: Social and hUman ceNtered XR - A Horizon Europe Project Paving the Way for the Widespread Adoption of Extended and Virtual Worlds

Extended Reality (XR) is a rapidly growing technology that bridges physical and virtual worlds, opening up new possibilities in healthcare, communications, and security. The European project SUN – Social and hUman ceNtered XR, funded by the Horizon Europe program, addresses the ongoing challenges of making XR more accessible, usable, and realistic. SUN develops technologies and models that enhance social interaction and immersive perception, while keeping an ethical and human-centered design, by introducing new wearable sensors, haptic interfaces, and high-performance streaming solutions. Through new 3D acquisition techniques and the use of artificial intelligence, SUN explores innovative ways to connect physical objects and digital counterparts, creating coherent and immersive environments. The project’s innovations were validated in three real-world piloting scenarios: rehabilitation therapy, workplace safety and social interaction, and assistive technologies for individuals with severe mobility or communication impairments. This volume presents the results of three years of research and development, offering a solid vision of how XR can evolve in a sustainable, ethical, and human-centered way.