XR(extended reality) Explorations in GIS World-Building

Extended reality (XR) in geospatial data visualizations presents exciting opportunities to enhance existing analysis and visualization tools. The goal is to help academics deliver immersive experiences that promote a deeper understanding of their subjects. This project is being developed using Unreal Engine and various related emerging tools and APIs. As a solo developer, I am creating environments using satellite map data and building digital assets with LiDAR scans and Gaussian Splatting, then geo-referencing them onto a virtual twin of the Earth. The next step in this research involves streaming real-time data to drive environmental simulations. Experiencing XR first-hand can feel remarkably real, allowing participants to stand anywhere on the planet within these XR digital twins. This experience can have a profound physiological impact. A memorable anecdote illustrates this: while playing an XR game, I found myself atop a fortress platform when I was suddenly charged at by an object from the corner of my eye. This startled me, causing me to stumble back, almost falling off the ledge. My heart rate skyrocketed, and I instinctively engaged my muscles to jump away—a very real response to a virtual scenario. This ability to create realistic experiences in virtual form can significantly enhance scientific capabilities, enabling data to be experienced rather than just viewed.