Modelling and Simulation in Virtual Reality

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to presenting the latest advances, methodologies, and applications in Virtual Reality (VR)-based modeling and simulation, with a particular focus on how immersive technologies are transforming product design, testing, and validation processes, as well as usage scenarios and human–machine interactions. In addition to industrial and engineering contexts, we further extend the scope to include emerging breakthroughs in medical applications, where VR-driven simulation plays a crucial role in training, planning, risk mitigation, and performance optimization.

We invite contributions that explore VR modeling and simulation platforms or solutions used in product development, including virtual prototypes, digital twins, and interactive simulation environments. Submissions may address how VR accelerates design cycles, enables early detection of issues, and supports complex multi-physics or multi-agent simulations within immersive environments. Papers examining VR as a strategic tool in medical education, surgical planning, and rehabilitation are also highly encouraged, as well as in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage. This Special Issue is structured around the following two main directions:

(1) Testing and Validation in VR

Contributions may include performance evaluation of mechanical, industrial, or consumer products; simulation of operational scenarios that are costly, hazardous, or impossible to reproduce physically; scenario analysis; behavior prediction; training simulations; ergonomic validation; and VR-based safety assessments.

(2) User Experience (UX) Enhancement through VR Simulation

We welcome research investigating how VR improves user experience through immersive simulation. Topics may cover human factors, user behavior modeling, interaction design, cognitive load analysis, usability testing in VR, and the development of immersive interfaces that support understanding, engagement, and informed decision-making.

We also aim to explore the relationship between VR and related technologies such as XR and MR.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• VR-based modeling and virtual prototyping;
• Simulation platforms for testing and validation;
• Digital twins in immersive environments;
• Human–machine interaction and ergonomic evaluation in VR;
• Scenario simulation for training safety;
• UX methodologies in VR environments;
• Integrated multi-physics and multi-agent simulations in VR;
• Immersive visualization and decision-support systems;
• Evaluation of user behavior, perception, and performance in VR;
• Immersive 3D technologies in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage;
• Adaptive modeling and AI-driven simulations in VR;
• Medical VR applications including surgical rehearsal, therapy, emergency response simulation, and clinical training;
• Immersive solutions for rehabilitation, diagnostic planning, and patient-specific procedure simulation.

This Special Issue invites original research articles, review papers, and case studies that advance the state of the art in VR-assisted modeling, simulation, and validation, offering both scientific insights and practical applications for academia and industry.

Prof. Dr. Calin Neamtu
Dr. Radu Comes
Prof. Dr. Marek Milosz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the Special Issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Modelling is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.