João Guerreiro, LASIGE integrated member, was interviewed by Público newspaper on 3 January 2026 about the project he led Access VR, which developed, among others things, an innovative virtual reality (VR) boxing game designed to make the sport accessible to blind and visually impaired people.

The project demonstrates how immersive technologies can be reimagined to support inclusion and broaden access to physical activity. Developed by a multidisciplinary team, the VR boxing prototype departs from visually driven design approaches. Instead, it relies on spatial audio, vibration, and body movement to guide players during gameplay. These sensory cues allow users to orient themselves in the virtual environment, locate an opponent, and react dynamically, without the need for visual input.

The development process was strongly tailored by the participation of Jorge Pina, a former professional boxer (national champion in 1998 and 1999, before losing his sight) and Paralympic athlete since 2008. His involvement was central to testing the system and refining the interaction design, ensuring that the experience reflects the needs and abilities of blind users. Co-creation with end users was a core principle throughout the project, as was the importance of integrating accessibility from the early stages of design.

In addition to its sporting dimension and its potential for rehabilitation and motor coordination training, the project also contributes to research in the field of human-computer interaction and accessible design by challenging the assumption that virtual reality must be predominantly visual in order to be effective.

The project illustrates how scientific research and inclusive innovation can combine to create meaningful social impact.