Diving in a Virtual Reality: Investigating Technology Acceptance.

This article investigates the acceptance of virtual reality (VR) diving applications as a supplement or complement to conventional diving, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) extended by technology openness (TO). Based on a survey of 202 participants from Germany, including divers and non-divers, the study finds that perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitude towards using (ATU), and TO significantly influence behavioral intention (BI) to use VR diving, except for the hypothesized effect of PEOU on PU which was not supported. Non-divers exhibit a more positive attitude towards VR diving than divers, though the underlying acceptance mechanisms are similar across groups. Additionally, age significantly affects behavioral intention, with the 25–34 and over-55 age groups showing the strongest intentions to use VR diving. The study highlights VR diving's potential to increase accessibility and training opportunities, especially for non-divers and those with physical or financial barriers, while noting limitations such as reliance on a theoretical scenario and a German-only sample.