Out-of-body virtual reality research. Research using virtual reality to 'project' subjects into virtual bodies (avatars, on screen). The subject wears a virtual reality helmet, in which an image of the avatar is projected. The person's body is then stimulated whilst simultaneously seeing the avatar receive the same treatment. After some time, the subject experiences the avatar's body as if it were their own and is able to interact within a virtual environment as if they were actually there. Such research is designed to help understand how the brain integrates sensory information in order to determine the position of the body in space. However, the results could also be used in next generation computer games.