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National Tsing Hua University project applies the benefits of virtual reality to mental health.
Crédits photos : National Tsing Hua University
Every year, the Laval Virtual Awards ceremony rewards the best VR / AR projects of the year. In 2024, twelve prizes were given to highlight immersive companies and XR creators. Among the winning projects, there is Embrace in the category “#ReVolution”, a virtual reality experience with a haptic device focused on eating disorders. Interview with Vankley Yi, Researcher at National Tsing Hua University.
Can you introduce your company?
National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), a renowned institution in Taiwan known for its strong focus on engineering, interdisciplinary research, and technological innovation. NTHU has fostered a unique environment where technology and art intersect, making it the ideal place for this project to take root.
Can you present the project that received a prize at the Laval Virtual Awards 2024 ?
Embrace, which later evolved into EmBelt and was showcased at SIGGRAPH 2024, is an interactive project from National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) that uses haptic feedback, extended reality (XR), and 3D animations to raise awareness about body image issues and eating disorders.
What was your motivation when applying for the Laval Virtual Awards?
We were motivated to submit our project for the Laval Virtual Awards because we wanted to raise awareness and help more people understand the important issues surrounding body image and eating disorders.
Laval Virtual offers a unique opportunity to showcase XR projects on a wide range of topics, and we saw it as a platform to engage with a diverse audience.
By participating, we had the chance to meet people from various fields, gaining valuable feedback on the technical aspects, storytelling, and ways to effectively deliver our message.
How did you experience your first participation in Europe’s biggest XR event?
Our first participation in the largest XR show in Europe was thrilling and eye-opening. We were amazed by the open-minded culture, where everyone paid attention to topics of all sizes. The event provided us with a lot of insightful feedback from diverse perspectives and cultures, which was incredibly valuable. It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and receive suggestions that broadened our understanding and approach to the project.
What were the benefits of this award given by a jury of international experts?
The jury provided valuable feedback that helped us refine our project. Winning the award gave us the opportunity to attend SIGGRAPH, where we showcased EmBelt to a larger community and connected with professionals, researchers, and potential collaborators.
These interactions broadened our perspective and provided new ideas and opportunities to further develop our work. Building on Embrace, we enhanced the project into EmBelt, and we are still refining it today, continuing our research and improving its impact.

The Awards ceremony’s theme was “magic”. If you could wave your magic wand and create the VR solution of your dreams, what would it be?
Our project, initially called Embrace, was often mistaken for a device that provides hugging haptic feedback. If we could create a haptic solution that conveys warmth and love, that would be an ideal outcome. It would allow users to experience a sense of comfort and connection, enhancing emotional well-being through touch in virtual environments.
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The success of the Embrace project could be yours! Would you also like to win an Award? The applications for the Laval Virtual Awards 2025 are open until January 25. To send your project, visit the online platform now.