This year ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences (IMX) was held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil! The event was chaired by Debora C. Muchaluat Saade (Fluminense Federal University) and Jorge Ferraz de Abreu (University of Aveiro) alongside an internationally acclaimed organising committee.
Touching down in Rio, we were greeted by a magical welcome from KLM – our names echoed through the baggage claim, which could only mean one thing: complimentary caipirinhas on arrival, right? 🍹🍸 Well, not quite. Turns out our luggage had taken an unexpected detour and was still enjoying Amsterdam, leaving us with a gentle reminder: never pack all your clothes in one bag.
Day one took a sudden turn – Instead of rushing to workshops, we found ourselves on an impromptu shopping spree in beautiful NiterĂłi. Dressed to the nines, we grabbed an Uber (aka Crazy Taxi đźš•) back just in time to make our sessions, proving there’s always a silver lining – even if it’s found in a new threads…
The first day of presentations set a strong tone, with Albert Luganga taking the stage at the Doctoral Symposium to share his research on EmoFusion – an AI-driven, emotion-aware system designed to enhance computational design workflows by interpreting physiological signals. Meanwhile, I joined the second edition of the ISIM workshop to present our work on TRANSMIXR.
Afterward, I was invited by Santosh Basapur (Institute of Design, IIT, USA / ACM IMX Steering Committee) to join the Doctoral Symposium Panel. It was a wonderful opportunity to share insights with emerging researchers. During the panel, I discussed my journey from a background in Computer Networks to working in Virtual Reality, and now, engaging in a unique project involving babies at concerts!
Feedback for both sessions was overwhelmingly positive – attendees praised not just the research, but the outfits too (Much appreciation to KLM for that unexpected style intervention.).
Of course, it wouldn’t be Rio without a touch of rhythm and celebration. This year’s opening reception set the tone with an energetic and colourful Samba performance that had attendees dancing and smiling from the start. It was a perfect blend of local culture – because in Rio, even a research conference begins with a beat, bringing people together through movement, music, and joy.Â
Murphy's Law! Unfortunate Timing, Dinner in the Dark
Designed by the legendary architect Oscar Niemeyer, the Museum of Contemporary Art of NiterĂłi (MAC) was a stunning setting for an evening of activities and connection. As we approached, however, the museum’s iconic saucer shaped silhouette sat unusually dark – thanks to a fallen tree that had taken out power across the area. But in true Brazilian fashion, the problem was resolved with impressive speed, and within an hour, the lights were back and the evening was on.
What followed was a memorable dinner overlooking the glittering lights of Rio across the bay, framed by MAC’s dramatic curves. Though the electricity flickered throughout the night, the academic conversations stayed strong – and of course, it wouldn’t be a proper send-off without a little dancing before heading home.
After seeing everyone get loose on the dancefloor Piotr Warkocki and Sahir Sharma‘s nerves went out the window just in time for them to present on the main stage in the following days.
- Piotr presented his Work in Progress which explores the utility of an omnidirectional treadmill in VR, he aims to understand the complex paradigm associated with measuring quality of experience using physiological measures within an active experience.Â
- Following this, Sahir presented during the final session discuss his innovative PhD work which aims to transform the design review process using XR. His novel work implements a no-code workflow for manufacturing design! The collaboration with Boston Scientific generated deep discussion during and after the event.Â
Copacabana, Churrascarias and Capybaras...
The morning after a night at a churrascaria is never swift – especially when meat comas and caipirinhas are involved. Moving at the pace of sleepy capybaras, we embraced a much-needed slow day following the whirlwind of conference sessions. After a packed week of ideas and inspiration, a reset was well-deserved. Luckily, relocating to Copacabana for the final stretch provided just that. With Sugarloaf Mountain standing tall and Christ the Redeemer peeking through the clouds, the beach became our new base – a scenic escape perfectly suited for unwinding and reflecting on an unforgettable week.
