VR-FAAP, Virtual Reality Fear and Anxiety Assessment platform

Important results from the project

The goal was to develop, test, and validate a product for evaluation of anxiety and phobias in Virtual Reality. The aim was to create a digital instrument that facilitates the evaluation of anxiety-inducing stimuli by overcoming many of the difficulties associated with traditional methods. The goal has is almost fulfilled as the project has so far resulted in a prototype that can render lifelike environments and measure how close the user can get an anxiety-inducing stimuli. Today, development takes place continuously in collaboration with leading psychologists.

Expected long term effects

The project has resulted in a prototype capable of evaluating anxiety and phobia in virtual realities. The software is developed and tested continuously with preliminary good results. After the software has left the development stages it will be launched commercially under a B2B model, resulting in a positive social impact, since it overcomes many of the problems traditional evaluation methods. The project has benefited the company at many levels as the product complements the our past, present and future projects.

Approach and implementation

The project began with interviews and analysis of researchers´ needs and desires regarding the platform. The interviews, together with research resulted in a detailed specification of the software. The following development stage was unfortunately slowed down by a number of factors. The main issue has been the delayed and limited availability of the virtual reality hardware platform. When the head mounted displays were obtained the development was resumed. Development has resulted in a prototype which is continuously iterated. Aside form delays the project is thus far successful.