Emerging Technologies for COVID-19

Our research group is exploring the use of emerging technologies, in particular gaming, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), in the context of COVID-19. To that end, we have a number of initiatives. First, we propose to complement current efforts to advise the public with a more engaging approach, one that harnesses game-based technologies to (1) educate the public experientially, (2) understand and learn the public’s perspective on this unfolding worldwide crisis, and (3) empower the public to give a voice and share experiences. For this work we will use an existing game-based platform called StudyCrafter with which we can immediately engage with the public through letting them play, create, and share interactive projects around COVID-19. You can find more information here: https://studycrafter.com/covid-19/.

Second, we are using the same platform (i.e., StudyCrafter, see https://studycrafter.com) to support online education. For this effort, we seek to reach out and work with educators in different disciplines to help them transition their work online – and in an experiential manner. As part of this effort, we are also generally trying to see what role game-based learning has in the context of COVID-19 and online education. We are planning to conduct several interviews with both students and instructors to accomplish this.

Third, we are exploring the next generation of telemedicine that harness gaming technologies and AR/VR. We are exploring this in the context of behavioral therapy for rehabilitation, for older adults in senior homes who are facing even more social isolation and anxiety, and for post-cancer patients who are in recovery. Other opportunities can be considered based on the expertise of people in the team.

Fourth, we are interested in exploring how we can inform policy making on COVID-19 through the use of human-in-the-loop simulation models where experts provide information in interaction with a simulation model. Current models typically showcase trends without the inclusion of human decision making.

Please note that start dates and end dates are flexible. However, we expect that all effort will be ongoing for at least the next year.