Abstract: A portable virtual-reality interactive system includes a computer that is interoperable with a smartphone, a flexible roll-up mat that has an electrically-activated stiffening mechanism and a projector for projecting a virtual keyboard onto the mat. The stiffening mechanism includes embedded coils surrounding a flexible electrical wire. A portion of the mat may be configured to serve as an on-demand workspace for controlling a cursor on the smartphone. A finger cap with a pressure sensor may be used to control a cursor and register mouse clicks. The finger cap may also be used to track movements of a user. A headset may be used, which contains a compartment for the smartphone so that when the headset is worn, the user can see the view screen of the smartphone.