# Misleading Virtual Reality The Body Transfer Illusion Places People in a Realistic Virtual World By Vittoria Natarelli | Published 2010-05-15 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/body-transfer-illusion References: [newscientist](http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18896-virtual-skirt-and-legs-turn-men-into-girls.html) & [dx.doi.org](http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0010564) This body transfer illusion shows great similarities to the James Cameron film 'Avatar.' By making grown men believe they are a young girl, this [virtual reality](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/immersion-vr) is quite entertaining. The body transfer illusion participants first were able to look around the [virtual environment](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teleport-by-varjo). Once they were placed in one [avatar's perspective](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avatai), similar actions that the virtual characters were doing were mimicked on the participant, making them believe the action was happening. Nothing special? When one avatar hit the other, the participant's heart rate increased as if he himself was hit. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 7% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Immersive Virtual Reality:** Opportunity for the development of a more sophisticated virtual reality experience that can mimic physical sensations and emotions. - **Body Transfer Technology:** Opportunity to create technology that enables seamless transfer of the human consciousness to a virtual avatar, providing a full-body sensory experience. - **Emotive Virtual Reality:** Opportunity for virtual reality experiences that can track and simulate emotions, providing a deeper level of engagement and immersion. ### Where This Applies - **Gaming:** Opportunity to create more realistic and immersive gaming experiences using body transfer and emotive VR technologies. - **Therapy and Mental Health:** Opportunity to use immersive virtual reality experiences to help individuals with anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues. - **Sports and Fitness:** Opportunity to create virtual reality experiences that simulate actual sports and fitness activities to provide a workout and training alternative. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Touch-Reactive VR Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/presence-in-bed.md) - [Full-Body Motion-Tracking Game Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rebuff-reality-bodylink.md) - [VR Physiotherapy Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superhero-therapy.md) - [Wireless Full-Body Tracking Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/haritorax.md) - [Immersive Halloween-Themed VR Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-latency-vr.md) - [AI-Driven Virtual Avatars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sensorium-galaxy.md) - [Hyper-Realistic Virtual Avatars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omniverse-avatar-cloud-engine.md) - [Real-Time Hologram Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holoport.md) - [Full-Body Hologram Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portl-epic.md)