Roessingh VR Biking Game
One of our studies focuses on children with motor learning problems. These children, for example, have difficulty cycling and come to Roessingh to learn all the necessary skills. To reduce the steps from cycling in the clinic to cycling in the real world, we developed a virtual bicycle trainer in collaboration with Roessingh Research & Development.
Roessingh Research & Development
RRD is the largest centre in the Netherlands where disciplines as diverse as rehabilitation medicine, movement sciences, psychology, physiotherapy, biomedical technology and computer science work together under one roof on innovations for the rehabilitation and care of today and tomorrow. As an internationally recognised scientific research institute, they occupy a unique position between the university and healthcare practice.
Safe training in traffic
Children with a Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD for short) have difficulty learning daily activities such as writing, lace bows and cycling. Within the Roessingh, Centre for Rehabilitation, physiotherapists work with these children to learn the basic skills of cycling. However, the step from this safe environment to cycling in traffic is still very big. In collaboration with Roessingh & University of Twente, Total Reality developed a VR cycling training course. This allows the children to practice in a safe environment with different traffic situations, fellow road users and distractions, before they really get on the road.
Eye Tracking
We are currently integrating Eye Tracking into the VR game with the aim of providing intelligent, personalised feedback on viewing behaviour. Therapists can see in real time what children are looking at, what is distracting them and what impact this has on their steering behaviour. All important feedback that contributes to a faster rehabilitation of the child.
Bicycle linked to VR game
The child’s bike is wirelessly linked to the VR game. We have developed a technique that allows us to measure the speed and steering movement, but also how hard the child pedals, and provide real-time feedback to the game. So if the child pedals hard, it goes through the game faster. If he steers left or right, he will do the same in the game. This way, the child experiences the game as if he is actually cycling through that environment.