Using digital and augmented reality technology to develop innovative health solutions

增强现实（AR）和虚拟现实（VR）技术工具，包括360度视频制作设备，眼动跟踪设备和生物识别评估工具，正在被要求支持KPU的健康科学和心理学课程的当前研究计划。目前的研究正在KPU的终身认知实验室（萨里校区）进行，涉及基于屏幕的眼动跟踪，AR应用和健康教育等领域。此外，KPU正在开发VR功能（里士满校区），以便使用生物识别评估完成VR教育工具的开发和调查工作。合作申请人已经建立了潜在的行业合作伙伴，他们希望使用AR和VR技术进行研发工作。KPU希望扩大其支持这些中小企业的能力，并为教师和学生提供创新设备，使其能够使用不同的技术开发适当的教育内容，并调查其对健康行为变化的影响。眼动追踪设备将通过使眼动追踪能够在真实的生活和数字环境中完成，来补充寿命认知实验室中现有的基于实验室的设备。360度视频设备将用于为VR眼动追踪头盔制作内容。生物特征评估工具将检查参与者对任何数字现实媒体中呈现的内容的反应（即，在线、AR、VR）。VR眼动追踪头盔是技术市场上的一款新设备，其他供应商无法提供;因此，它在KPU的可用性将支持与行业合作伙伴的最先进的工作。一些目前的项目，社区合作伙伴和学生将受益于所要求的设备项目。这些资源还将使KPU能够为未来的行业合作伙伴提供研究支持。AR和VR技术应用市场正在迅速扩张，特别是在不列颠哥伦比亚省的西南地区。KPU准备为健康教育和数字技术领域的中小企业提供应用研究支持。

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology tools that include 360 degree video productionequipment, eye tracking devices, and biometrics assessment tools are being requested to support currentresearch programs in KPU's health science and psychology programs. Current research is being conducted inKPU's Lifespan Cognition Lab (Surrey campus) in the areas of screen-based eye tracking, AR applications, andhealth education. In addition, KPU is developing VR capability (Richmond campus) in order that work in thedevelopment and investigation of VR educational tools can be done using biometric assessment. Theco-applicants have established and potential industry partners who want to do R&D work using AR and VRtechnology. KPU wants to expand its capacity to support these SMEs and provide faculty and students withinnovative equipment that will enable the development of appropriate educational content using differenttechnologies and to investigate their impact on health behaviour change. The eye-tracking equipment willcomplement the existing lab-based devices available in the Lifespan Cognition Lab by enabling eye tracking tobe done in real life and digital contexts. The 360 degree video equipment will be used to produce content forthe VR eye tracking headset. The biometric assessment tools will examine participants' responses to contentpresented in any digital reality mediums (i.e., online, AR, VR). The VR eye-tracking headset is a new piece ofequipment in the technology market that is not available by other suppliers; thus its availability at KPU willsupport state-of-the-art work with industry partners. A number of current projects, community partners, andstudents will benefit from the requested equipment items. These resources will also enable KPU to offerresearch support to future industry partners. The market for AR and VR technology applications is expandingrapidly, particularly in the southwest region of British Columbia. KPU is poised to provide applied researchsupports for SMEs in the health education and digital technology sectors.