ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Three VR Apps to Survive Lockdown: Hyperloop, Shelter in Place, ZeroPhobia

digital · 2026-04-27

Simona Caraceni reviews three virtual reality apps designed to alleviate lockdown boredom and anxiety. Hyperloop VR (free, iOS with VR headset, Vive, Rift) simulates a 30-minute trip from Amsterdam to London in Elon Musk's proposed Hyperloop, offering a sense of arrival. Shelter in Place (free, Oculus) provides a virtual house with 15 rooms for creative activities like graffiti, drumming, and archery, but lacks multiplayer support. ZeroPhobia (€14.99, iOS and Android with cardboard VR) is a scientifically validated app developed at the University of Twente in Amsterdam to treat agoraphobia and fear of heights through exposure therapy. The article was published on Artribune Magazine #57.

Key facts

  • Hyperloop VR simulates a 30-minute trip from Amsterdam to London.
  • Hyperloop VR is free on iOS with VR headset, Vive, Rift.
  • Shelter in Place offers 15 rooms for creative activities.
  • Shelter in Place has no multiplayer or social features.
  • ZeroPhobia was developed at the University of Twente in Amsterdam.
  • ZeroPhobia is the only app with scientific evidence for agoraphobia and fear of heights.
  • ZeroPhobia costs €14.99 on iOS and Android with cardboard VR.
  • The article was written by Simona Caraceni for Artribune Magazine #57.

Entities

Artists

  • Simona Caraceni

Institutions

  • Artribune
  • University of Twente

Locations

  • Amsterdam
  • London
  • Netherlands
  • United Kingdom

Sources