Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology with the potential to revolutionize the way kids learn and play. VR headsets provide users with an immersive and interactive experience, allowing them to explore virtual worlds and interact with objects in a way that is not possible in the real world.
This case study will examine how VR is being used by kids in education, therapy, and entertainment. It will also discuss the most recent research data on the benefits and risks of VR use for children.
Education
VR is increasingly being used in schools to create engaging and interactive learning experiences. For example, students can use VR to take virtual field trips to historical sites, explore the human body, or learn about complex scientific concepts.
A 2023 study published in the journal Educational Technology Research and Development found that students who used VR to learn about chemistry concepts performed significantly better on tests than students who learned using traditional methods. The study also found that students who used VR were more motivated and engaged in their learning.
Therapy
VR is also being used to treat a variety of childhood conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety, and phobias. For example, VR can be used to help children with ASD develop social skills, practice communication skills, and learn new behaviors.
A 2023 study published in the journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development found that VR-based therapy was effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in children with ASD. The study also found that VR therapy was more effective than traditional therapy methods.
Entertainment
VR is also becoming increasingly popular for entertainment purposes. There are now a wide variety of VR games and experiences available for kids, including educational games, adventure games, and social experiences.
VR games can help kids develop problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning skills, and hand-eye coordination. VR experiences can also help kids learn about different cultures and perspectives.
Our approach – Escape Room for Kids
The concept was simple. Let’s set up the HTC Vive and invite children to test our Kid room VR game, which is – as the name suggests 🙂 – a virtual escape room for children. The kids discover all kinds of interactions in a locked room where everything can also be demolished. There was a queue of people willing to test and the fun started.
Research data
The body of research on the benefits and risks of VR use for children is still growing. However, the most recent research suggests that VR can be a safe and effective tool for learning, therapy, and entertainment.
A 2023 study published in the journal Pediatrics found that short-term use of VR by children is safe and does not lead to any adverse effects. The study also found that VR can be used to improve a variety of child development outcomes, including cognitive skills, social skills, and emotional well-being.
Results
VR is a powerful technology with the potential to have a significant impact on the way kids learn, play, and heal. As VR technology continues to develop and become more affordable, we can expect to see even more innovative and effective VR applications for kids.
The effects were surprising. Children, unlike adults, were not at all intimidated by the world of VR, even if they put on glasses for the first time in their lives. They energetically grabbed the controllers and moved – literally – forward, not looking back at the cables and walls. Because they had not yet lost their natural curiosity and were not afraid of failure or embarrassment, they tried all the possibilities and variants of the game. The queue grew, and the next child in line counted the last ten seconds out loud to the playing toddler. The children watched the progress and points scored on the laptop screen and there was a lot of laughter.
In a world where technology continuously reshapes the way we experience entertainment, there’s a groundbreaking innovation taking center stage: Lightweight Multiuser Virtual Reality (VR). This exciting advancement is set to transform arcades and tourist attractions into immersive wonderlands, where visitors can explore, compete, and connect like never before.
The Evolution of Entertainment
Entertainment venues have always sought to captivate audiences with thrilling experiences. From traditional arcades to theme parks and tourist attractions, the goal has remained the same: to transport people to other worlds, spark their imaginations, and create lasting memories. As technology evolves, so does our capacity to achieve these goals, and the introduction of Lightweight Multiuser VR is a testament to this progress.
Breaking the Barriers
Traditional VR setups were often clunky, isolating, and costly. However, the advent of Lightweight Multiuser VR addresses these concerns with a range of innovative features:
1. Lightweight Hardware
Gone are the days of hefty headsets and cables that limited mobility. Lightweight VR headsets offer a comfortable and unencumbered experience, making it accessible to people of all ages.
2. Seamless Multiuser Interaction
These VR systems enable multiple users to share the same virtual environment simultaneously. Whether it’s a group of friends battling space invaders or a family exploring a mystical realm, the experience is more social and engaging than ever.
3. Cost-Effective Solutions
Arcades and tourist attractions can now integrate VR without breaking the bank. Lightweight hardware is not only affordable but also easy to maintain, making it a smart investment for businesses.
The Immersive Experience
The key allure of Lightweight Multiuser VR lies in its ability to transport users to fantastical realms and offer experiences beyond imagination. Here are some exciting possibilities:
1. Arcade Adventures
Arcades are experiencing a renaissance with the integration of VR. Players can team up or compete in captivating virtual worlds, from heart-pounding shooter games to mind-bending puzzle challenges.
2. Tourist Attractions Transformed
Imagine exploring ancient civilizations, diving into the depths of the ocean, or venturing into space, all within the confines of a tourist attraction. Lightweight Multiuser VR enhances the visitor experience, making attractions educational, thrilling, and unforgettable.
3. Social Connection
VR fosters social interaction in entirely new ways. Friends and family can embark on adventures together, bridging physical distances through shared virtual experiences.
Embracing the Future
As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, businesses that embrace Lightweight Multiuser VR are poised for success. The technology not only attracts new visitors but also retains existing ones, encouraging them to return for new adventures.
The world of arcades and tourist attractions is evolving, and Lightweight Multiuser VR is at the forefront of this transformation. By offering affordable, immersive, and socially engaging experiences, these venues are set to captivate audiences in ways we could only dream of a few years ago. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a history buff, or simply looking for a fun day out, the future of entertainment promises to be an extraordinary journey into the realms of imagination.
We came up with the idea of creating a 3D reconstruction of the Horse Market, where the main building of the Academy is located. Our artists took the datum and construction grids from the 1588 Braun and Hogenberg depiction of Stettin and recreated the look of the place in the Unreal Engine. Then it was converted to the fulldome format and prepared for playback in the VR Dome placed on the square. The guests entered the dome for 3 minutes, watched a movie, and then the next group was invited inside.
Our artists took the datum and construction grids from the 1588 Braun and Hogenberg depiction of Stettin and recreated the look of the place in the Unreal Engine.
It started with a visit to Szczecin. Our friends from DW Group Event Agency showed up to see the thrilling geodesic dome in action at the Freedomes headquarters and watched our previous full 3D VR productions. DHL is launching a new terminal at Warsaw Chopin Airport. We knew the bar was set high. A large corporate event for event guests.
Flight to the future
We had two months to create something unique. Our storyboard team has developed a script from DW GROUP where the entire audience in the dome goes into space and flies the DHL ferry far away to Earth. After the storyboard was approved, production started and we started creating 3D scenes and animations in Unreal Engine. Videos and photos changed hands, and we made changes to the script and scenes until the last minute. Thanks to our real-time workflow, this was possible without long rendering delays.
Result
On a sunny day in early October, the dome was opened to over 400 invited guests, including top DHL management. Our 8-minute animation was projected in 360 ° format on a 900 m2 surface inside the dome. The moderator of the event joked that for the first time he saw so many guests recording a corporate event on their smartphones.
“Our audience, including the top management at the headquarters, was captivated by this production.”
IBM was looking for a creative way to demonstrate the benefits of cloud security. Freedomes supplied the dome and asked us for VR software to power the presentation. IBM had a 360 ° video showcasing their X-Force Command Center, which was perfect for a Virtual Reality dome presentation. It had to be something spectacular – after all, it was CEBIT, one of the largest gatherings of software and hardware vendors in the world. IBM has been there for the last 31 years and that fact alone has put a lot of pressure on our team to make sure we deliver the best possible results.
VR video player
Time was limited (as usual 😉 so we used our VR Dome player, a dedicated fulldome software to play immersive 360 ° high definition videos. Automatically converts from popular screen formats, allows real-time calibration and supports up to 4k resolution. it was marked with an experiment loop option and was displayed inside the Security Dome installed by Freedomes near the entrance to the IBM area.
ResultsÂ
The security cloud dome was on display at CEBIT on June 12-15, 2018. It started with a high rating when IBM CEO and President Ginni Rometty visited the facility and we held our breath to hear the verdict. The project was given the green light and the dome served the public for three full days.
