Chronosphere | Empathy for dementia
An unforgettable connection
Stepping into the head of a dementia patient as a carer and experiencing what life can be like for him; that is something very impressive and can change the way care is provided. A concept, worked out by IJsfontein in a container, which can be brought to users more easily through virtual reality and volumetric video.
This project originated in 2012, over 10 years ago. In collaboration with various care institutions and universities, IJsfontein developed a travelling interactive exhibit; Into D’mentia. Moving inside a container, the exhibit aims to bring understanding to people with dementia. An interactive story is told through audiovisual media. The clever design gives caregivers and family members a clear picture of the perception of people with dementia.
An important part of the exhibit is the personal interaction that occurs during the experience. A 2D projection screen and reaction during the interaction gives the visitor the feeling of really being addressed by a “family member”.
“Into D’mentia lets people experience dementia. I have experienced how unsafe, lonely, confused and sad you can feel when you don’t feel understood, heard and seen.“
– response from a visitor.
Re-thinking
Given this great response, which sums up well how the experience is perceived, the desire to offer it to as many visitors as possible is great. However, it is a logistical challenge to move the container. That is why we looked for a solution to spread the same experience and impact easier and among a larger group of visitors. This gave origin to the idea of rebuilding the exhibit in virtual reality. That said, how to incorporate personal interaction in virtual reality, with a high enough level of realism to be believed?
Leap over the Uncanny Valley
Whereas the physical booth used a 2D projection screen, in the virtual reality environment it is important to make the user feel as if they are really there. The combination of 3D and 2D would disrupt this, so a solution had to be found to develop the personal interaction in 3D.
To avoid the user experiencing an unsettling feeling in response to non-human figures such as lifelike computer-generated characters, we needed to see how this could be overcome. Volumetric video is the perfect solution!
Volumetric under the microscope
Together with IJsfontein, for the Chronosphere research, we looked at how the use of volumetric video could contribute to the impact of Into D’mentia VR. For this research, the following question was formulated; Does the use of volumetric captured actors provide greater credibility than using traditional video in a 3D VR environment?
To enhance the credibility of the volumetric captured characters, they actually become part of the environment. For instance, they walk through the room, talk to the user during certain actions and make use of the kitchen. Combined with the lifelikeness and emotions of a volumetric captured person, the degree of impact is compared as with that of the physical cabin.
Chronosphere is paying off
The combination of the lifelikeness and emotion of the volumetric captured characters, the simple interaction and everyday actions are the perfect recipe for a successful prototype for Into D’mentia VR resulting in the user believing in their own perspective resulting in beautiful reactions.
“It’s really moving. As good as the booth.”
– responses from visitors.
A total of two consecutive versions of Into D’mentia have already been made. After remaking the container with an initial virtual reality experience, it was decided to make a second version due to its success and positive reactions. But besides the positive reactions, the second version is partly due to the success of the volumetric video in the virtual reality movement, according to Hayo Wagenaar of IJsfontein.
Create your own unforgettable connection?
Volumetric video and training is a golden combination. Due to the lifelike nature of the characters, users will be fully immersed in the training and believe in their own perspective. The options for this are endless. Do you have your own training that needs to be developed in combination with AR, VR or volumetric video? Contact us without hesitation, we are happy to think along with you!
Made possible by Metropool Regio Eindhoven and Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland.
Chronosphere, Health care, In someone else's shoes
