Interactive Storytelling for Immersive Media, Augmented Manufacturing, and Digital Healthcare

The article explores interactive storytelling in augmented and virtual reality. It is based on the research project Immersive Media Lab, bridges the gap between technological developments and their application, and aims to combine art, economy, and science. Due to their increased availability, virtual and immersive technologies have not only seen a resurgence in their popularity but also offer intriguing new perspectives regarding their use in different contexts. Consequently, the notions of interactivity and immersion also play significant roles in the study of storytelling in conjunction with virtual and augmented reality. The Immersive Media Lab has employed state-of-the-art AR/VR technology in five use cases: VR Interaction, Artistic Motion Tracking in AR/VR, Audio AR for Industry, AR/VR Interfaces for Industry, and AR Education for Patients. All of them, but one, developed prototypical applications related to the central concept of interactive storytelling. Furthermore, each use case addresses three distinct dimensions of storytelling: the production of a coherent story, the collection and transfer of knowledge, and the specificity of the technology used.
Covering the areas of Creative Media, Smart Manufacturing, and Healthcare leads to a particular research design, as each area is connected to different research contexts and comes with appliances of immersive media. The article focuses on various theoretical inputs regarding interactive and immersive storytelling in general and relates them to the academic background of the five use cases. Furthermore, each use case defined a story in its context, the purpose of its narration, and its media-specific context. Finally, the paper reflects on the outcomes of the use cases and outlines their potential for future applications of interactive storytelling in immersive media.