Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications for Promoting Safety and Security: A Systematic Review

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are known to offer an immersive environment that serves as a valuable tool in various domains such as education, health and wellness, and gaming. Due to its relevance in many areas, it is a technology worth exploring for promoting safety and security. This paper presents the results of a systematic review of the past 6 years of research (2016–2021) in the field of VR and AR for promoting safety and security. The goal is to (1) uncover the success and effectiveness of VR/AR technology in promoting safety and security, (2) identify the persuasive strategies employed in VR/AR for promoting safety and security, (3) uncover the limitations of existing AR/VR technology for promoting safety and security, and (4) discuss the prospects of VR/AR in promoting safety and security and recommend opportunities for future. To identify relevant papers, we searched 4 popular databases and screened them using a set of eligibility criteria included in the final review. The results showed that 26 of the papers indicated a successful outcome while 5 papers indicated a partially successful outcome with respect to promoting safety and security. Rehearsal and Self-monitoring strategies emerged as the most frequently used persuasive strategy in AR and VR applications for designs promoting safety and security.