Multisensory Technologies

In this viewpoint article, Monica Gori and Micah Murray share their perspectives on past, present, and future developments in multisensory technologies and their impact on society, as well as career perspectives for trainees. Using seminal works on the neurobiological bases of multisensory processes and their development as springboards, they discuss how they foresee continued advancements in the technologies for studying multisensory processes and rehabilitating/replacing sensory impairments. They see a strong tendency towards understanding inter- and intra-individual variability in multisensory processes and their plasticity as well as a societal impetus to transition from laboratory-based to applied research with bespoke solutions for individuals. These tendencies also encapsulate current controversies regarding the boundaries of neuroplasticity as well as the potential double-edged sword of AI-based technologies that have tremendous positive impact though perhaps at the "cost" of negative collateral impact on functional capabilities. The domain of multisensory technologies offers trainees a wide breadth of career opportunities not only in academic research, but also in applied/industrial fields. Continued ameliorations in multisensory technologies are an exciting domain at the intersection of applied, basic, and clinical research wherein many inroads remain to be achieved and thus where many opportunities for contributions by emerging scientists can be found.