MIRAGE: Easy Shared XR

XR, as of writing this, is not in a good state. Despite years of hype and billions in investment, the field is defined by an awkward contradiction: there are more headsets than ever, but fewer people using them. The global install base is large—97.7 million headsets worldwide—but actual usage remains low. Most sessions last under an hour, and a significant portion of users abandon the devices entirely after a few weeks. Revenue from XR platforms has stalled, and Meta’s own Reality Labs reported a $4.2 billion loss in Q1 of 2025 alone.

Much of this decline has to do with the hardware itself. Headsets are still bulky, physically isolating, and socially awkward to use in public or group settings. Even those who love immersive content find the setup effort tiring. Head-mounted displays promise immersion, but often deliver friction.

MIRAGE began as a response to this problem. Rather than waiting for the perfect headset to arrive, I asked what it would look like to redesign the XR experience entirely—starting with the premise that nobody should have to wear anything to participate.

MIRAGE is a mixed reality mirror, built with the Meta Quest 3 and a screen. By casting the passthrough feed from the Quest to an external display and flipping it horizontally, the system simulates a real-time, spatially aligned mirror that users can see themselves in. Custom MR applications leave space for that reflection, allowing participants to become part of the scene. No headset required. No barrier to entry.

The MIRAGE Setup

MIRAGE is built using Unity 6 and the Meta SDK for Android standalone on the Quest 3. Its core is a simple, adaptable hardware setup that transforms a headset and screen into a spatial computing mirror. The system relies on the CenterEyeAnchor in the XR rig for all gaze and depth alignment, ensuring consistent positioning across applications.

There are three main deployment configurations, each optimized for different environments.

TV Setup

The Quest 3 is paired with a 55- to 70-inch screen, typically mounted on a stand. For home installations, the headset can be placed just in front of the screen, about six inches below center. In public exhibitions, it can often mounted on top of the screen and angled slightly downward. This prevents visitors from trying to wear the headset and encourages upward eye contact, which feels more natural when engaging with a digital character. The screen is tilted 15 degrees upward to align with average eye height, and viewer distance is calibrated for either standing (five feet) or sitting (four feet). If a viewer stands closer than three feet, the camera may crop part of their body due to field-of-view limits.

Desktop Setup

Uses a 24-inch or larger monitor and is best for compact spaces like classrooms or workstations. The monitor is elevated on a stand to approximate eye level and is ideally placed in a corner to maximize field of view. From about three feet away, a user can interact with the experience via gestures or voice without needing to physically reposition the display. This version maintains MIRAGE’s core principles, delivering immediacy and accessibility in a more personal format.

Vertical Setup

For installations that emphasize height and body-scale visuals, such as fitness mirrors or interactive product displays. A vertically oriented 43-inch screen could be used, with the Quest 3 mounted on top and angled downward. This allows the system to track full-body movement, but the mirror effect becomes slightly distorted. Some camera warping may be necessary to maintain spatial accuracy, and native vertical casting is not supported by most streaming APIs, requiring custom configuration. Despite these challenges, the setup still supports presence, placing users inside the augmented frame in a way that encourages movement and exploration.

Mira: Exhibition Buddy

To demonstrate the system, I developed a companion character named Mira. Mira is a conversational robot who lives inside the mirror. She reacts to people walking by, gestures to them, and responds to voice input. Her purpose is to anchor attention and invite participation in the space.

Mira’s identity as a robot is intentional. Slight stutters in animation or imperfect speech are understood as part of who she is. This allows the system to remain believable even if processing lags or animations aren’t perfectly timed. In many ways, her imperfections support the feeling of presence—she seems to exist in the same room, not just on screen.

At the 2025 Design and Technology Thesis Show, Mira acted as a live exhibition guide. Viewers saw themselves standing next to her in the mirrored display. Some high-fived her, others asked her questions, and many took photos. All of them engaged without needing to ask what the system was or how it worked.

The Future of MIRAGE

MIRAGE is for people who are curious about XR but don’t want to wear a headset. It’s for developers who need to show spatial content to an audience without spending ten minutes on each demo. It’s for curators who want interactivity without risk or supervision. It’s also for families, classrooms, libraries, and anyone else who wants to bring digital content into shared space.

I hope that MIRAGE will eventually become more than a one-time installation. The system could evolve into a toolkit for mixed reality developers, public educators, or exhibition designers. It could power everything from learning mirrors to interactive fashion displays, tabletop games, or AI-powered guides. Mira herself could evolve into a spatial assistant that understands room layout, welcomes guests, and participates in the everyday.

The future of XR doesn’t have to be worn. It can be seen, shared, and lived—together.