Virtual reality: Participants wanted for a virtual club experience
Saturday night, a night out at a club with friends. People are dancing shoulder-to-shoulder on the dance floor. Everyone is singing along and laughing a lot. An evening like this thrives on the shared experience, on being close to others. But could it be done differently?
Could we go to a concert or attend a festival with friends even if we’re physically apart? Together with partners, researchers at Chemnitz University of Technology are currently investigating exactly that with the help of virtual reality.
Celebrating together despite the distance
In the “ViLiEv – Virtual Live Events” project, scientists are developing and testing technologies that allow people to experience cultural events together, even when they aren’t in the same place. The project is led at Chemnitz University of Technology by Prof. Dr. Angelika Bullinger-Hoffmann and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Dix.
VR headsets are used to make all of this work. These virtual reality tools are designed to allow people to attend concerts, club nights, or even festivals regardless of their location. The focus is on how people interact with one another in this situation.
For a current study, the Chair of Ergonomics and Innovation Management is now seeking pairs of participants. They are looking for pairs of people who already know each other. Friends, family members, or acquaintances can participate. Together, they will visit a virtual dance floor using VR headsets. The researchers will observe the shared experience and social interaction within the virtual space.
Here’s how the study works
First, each person familiarizes themselves with the VR application individually. Afterward, both enter the virtual event together. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old, speak German very well, and have no health or physical limitations that would prevent you from using VR headsets and controllers. Experience with virtual reality is not required.
The study lasts about 105 minutes and takes place at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology (TU Chemnitz) at Erfenschlager Straße 73. The study will be conducted from August 24 through September 11, 2026. Those interested can select an appointment online together with their companion. As a thank-you for participating, each participant will receive 25 euros.
In addition to Chemnitz University of Technology, VRketing GmbH from Dresden and VR Bits GmbH from Leipzig are also participating in the project. "ViLiEv – Virtual Live Events" will run until the end of September 2026 and is funded by the Free State of Saxony and the EU.
All information about the study and registration is available here.
