The recent developments in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Ubiquitous Computing have been significantly influenced by the integration of wearable devices and virtual reality (VR) technologies. A notable trend is the focus on enhancing user experience through the accurate assessment of cognitive readiness and the exploration of human behavior in virtual environments. Researchers are leveraging physiological measures to better understand cognitive states, aiming to personalize interactions and improve the usability of wearable devices. Concurrently, the exploration of curiosity-driven behavior in VR settings is shedding light on how users navigate virtual spaces, balancing the desire for exploration with the discomfort of cybersickness. This dual focus on cognitive assessment and virtual navigation behavior underscores a broader movement towards creating more immersive and user-friendly digital environments.

In the realm of VR, advancements in sensory encoding models are providing deeper insights into human navigation behavior, with the Bayesian Efficient Coding model emerging as a particularly effective tool for simulating these behaviors. This model's ability to incorporate physiological responses into its predictions marks a significant step forward in understanding and mitigating the adverse effects of VR use, such as cybersickness and fatigue.

On the hardware front, the development of portable solutions for simultaneous human movement and brain activity monitoring is opening new avenues for research outside traditional laboratory settings. The use of smartphones and wireless EEG technology to capture readiness potentials and human posture in real-world scenarios exemplifies the field's shift towards more accessible and versatile research methodologies.

Noteworthy Papers

• A Review of Cognitive Readiness, Wearable Devices, and Prospects: Offers a comprehensive overview of physiological measures for cognitive readiness assessment, highlighting the potential for personalized user experiences in HCI.
• Balancing Exploration and Cybersickness: Introduces curiosity as a key factor in VR navigation, providing a novel framework for understanding user behavior in virtual environments.
• A Portable Solution for Simultaneous Human Movement and Mobile EEG Acquisition: Demonstrates the feasibility of using smartphones for real-time monitoring of brain activity and movement, paving the way for more naturalistic studies.
• A comparative study of sensory encoding models for human navigation in virtual reality: Compares sensory encoding models, with the Bayesian Efficient Coding model showing superior performance in simulating human navigation behavior in VR.