Research Project 3
VIRaL has collaborated with a number of national and international organisations to research, design, and develop novel, impactful mixed reality training applications:
Fire safety trialing for the Mater Private
Operating Room (OR) fires, though rare, pose serious risks to patients and staff. This project developed an interactive VR training simulation to help OR personnel identify fire hazards and practice correct emergency procedures in a realistic virtual environment.
The simulation combined kinesthetic learning—learning by doing—with game-based design to create an engaging, immersive training experience. It leveraged VR’s strengths in realism, safety, and feedback to enhance knowledge retention and preparedness for high-risk scenarios.
Cultural Heritage Applications of Augmented Reality Technology
The goal of this project was to explore the intersection of digital technologies and cultural heritage through the medium of a historical walking tour. As part of this research, the project aimed to:
- Develop a unique Guinness Storehouse Heritage AR app to enhance the existing Guinness Storehouse Heritage Tour. This tour guides visitors through the Guinness story in Dublin, highlighting its rich history and legacy. The AR app added a digital layer to the experience, allowing visitors to access additional insights in a more interactive and engaging way.
- Display text, images, and other digital assets relevant to the Guinness story and legacy. Archive materials were repurposed and presented at three key points along the tour to complement the physical experience.
- Convert static, digitised historical photographs into animated video content, recreating elements of the brewing process. This brought archival material to life, enhancing visitor engagement and deepening historical context within the cultural heritage experience. This process used the labs expertise in digital photographic software, motion graphics, and compositing.
The AR app was used by the Guinness Storehouse to evaluate the potential of contemporary virtual technologies in enhancing current visitor offerings. While the primary focus was on AR, the project also highlighted the broader potential for integrating immersive digital technologies into cultural experiences. It served as a proof of concept to support future innovation and demonstrated the feasibility of using AR to enrich traditional heritage tours.
Irish Language Learning VR App
VIRaL was also the lab in which the worlds first Irish Language Learning VR app was developed as part of a PhD project by Dr Naoise Collins:
It is available for download here: https://gaeilgegamer.itch.io/gaeltechvr-version-2
It was developed using SteamVR for the Vive Index headset (before mobile VR headsets existed).
The PhD describing the development, testing, and results of the research is here: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/tourdoc/35/