PhusicosVR - NbS demonstrators in Virtual Reality

The H2020 project PHUSICOS focused on demonstration sites for NbS implementations to reduce hydrometrological risks in rural environments. These implementations are difficult enough to envision for professionals familiar with them, such as landscape architects and infrastructure engineers, but for ordinary persons unfamiliar with them it may be almost impossible to really understand the design and function of these. There are adages and proverbs in English offering some wisdom: 'Seeing is believing', 'a picture paints a thousand words', and 'show me don't tell me'. The PHUSICOS projects education workpackage developed a Virtual Reality (VR) training software as an innovative way to communicate NbS concepts. VR is a computer-generated environment where the user feels as if they are immersed in (and interacting with) that environment. The VR environment is presented in scenes containing objects that appear real and where the user is provided with the ability to move about in the environment and interact with the objects. Everything the user sees is artificially constructed through 3D objects, and the experience is enhanced using ambient sounds and often an active soundtrack. In the PhusicosVR experience, the user can explore four different NbS demonstrators around Europe. The guided exploration includes visual experiences with audio descriptions to help understand the design and function of the various NbS implementations. PHUSICOS was supported under H2020 grant agreeement No. 776681

Location

Location:

Jorekstad, Norway - Receded barriers;

Saint Elena (Pyrenees) Spain - Rockwall Terracing

Capet Forrest (Pyrenees) France - Reforestation

Serchio River Valley, Italy - Barrier strips

Uses of this product

The VR experience is a fun and intuitive way to explore the design and function of large scale NbS implementations in a natural environment. By creating a digital environment, the user can explore and interact with the NbS to increase their understanding. VR is exciting and new, giving it the advantage of immediate appeal to a large audience. It is easily arguably more playful and exciting than a traditional webinar.

Additional information

The VR game is installed on the Oculus Quest headset by downloading from the Oculus Labs app store.

The web browser version is available online, To control the game, use the following keyboard navigation:

Use keys A W S D to move around.
Hold right mouse button and move mouse to change look direction
Point with mouse and select using the left button.

Product requirements

Oculus Quest VR headset
Desktop version is also available

Advantages

Virtual reality gives an immersive learning experience
Fun to use which adds to the learning experience
Open development philosophy - others are welcome to add their own NbS experiences to the game

Quality Assurance

Own QA and testing

Links

Desktop version (for use in web browser)

Source:

The PHUSICOS VR game is a deliverable under WP7 of the H2020 project PHUSICOS (Grant agreement no. 776681).

The game was developed by the PHUSICOS partners Innlandet Fylkeskommune and NGI, together with the IT consultant Sopra Steria and the Vea vocational school.