MoVir: Movement-based games in VR to help people in isolation stay active

**Vision**

The global impact of Covid-19 will be felt for generations to come. But with this incredible disruption comes an opportunity to exploit the power of technologies to change how we live and work. This project represents a step-change in how immersive technologies can be exploited to deliver scientifically validated movement-based exercise programmes remotely.

**Key Objectives**

This project will use our scientific expertise to develop a novel means of training balance and coordination in people who have to stay at home. By using the power of immersive, interactive virtual reality (VR), we will develop fun, engaging games that can be used to rehabilitate and improve movement abilities in the most vulnerable groups who are in isolation.

Our AI algorithms will automatically detect a player's movement abilities and adjust the level of game difficulty accordingly, increasing the challenge when required. Data captured, from the controllers, during gameplay offers an innovative, yet reliable way of monitoring progress and compliance. **Main Area of Focus**

Delivering remote exercise or rehabilitation programmes can be very challenging. Although this can be done through video, these are often not adapted for those with limited mobility. Furthermore, without direct feedback or a means of monitoring progress it can be difficult to know how well someone is progressing.

This project will significantly improve on the current state of the art by using the power of VR technology to design and develop two fun and engaging games that train both balance and movement coordination. Using AI algorithms, we will dynamically adapt the level of game difficulty so it is personalised for each player. This will ensure games are immediately responsive, providing varied content to allow the player to automatically progress as their abilities to control their movements improves.

The data from the VR controllers will be analysed to give a score that reflects their movement performance but that also measures compliance.

This project has life beyond the current pandemic. Future work will include the development of a more sophisticated cloud-based platform that can be used by professional healthcare workers (physiotherapists) to deliver rehabilitation and movement-based therapies remotely. **Innovation**

Our deep knowledge of how to design engaging VR movement-based games and harvest movement data from the VR controllers during interactive gameplay will allow us to deliver new types of exercise programme that can be delivered remotely. In parallel, healthcare providers will also be able to monitor movement quality and exercise compliance.