Abstract

Overview

As virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies have gained popularity, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, their widespread use in homes for entertainment, gaming, and video conferencing has raised concerns regarding electromagnetic (EM) radiation exposure.

Findings

• Smartphones are increasingly used in VR headsets with limited ventilation, positioned close to the user's eyes.
• The study utilizes the finite element method (FEM) to simulate exposure scenarios at 4G and 5G telecommunication frequencies.
• There are potential thermal and non-thermal risks from EM radiation on the human eye suggested by the simulation.
• Specific absorption rate (SAR) values might increase due to multi-radio connectivity features of smartphones when used for broadband Internet connectivity in VR/AR applications.

Conclusion

The study highlights the risk of EM radiation associated with the use of VR/AR headsets, which should be considered in light of the growing dependence on these technologies.