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Education IT

Virtual gaming enhances sports education

By Kelly Ng | 6 October 2010

Singapore’s lead government research agency revealed emerging immersive technologies which will transform the sports experience –for both the sportsperson and the spectator.

A tennis simulation system provides the player with a three-dimensional and realistic ‘surround display’. The view on the large screen adjusts as the player turns his or her head. Haptic technology creates accurate vibration on the player’s physical tennis racket the moment the virtual ball is hit.

“This tennis simulation – called TennisTech – has been tested on 100 people, ranging from secondary school students to 60-year-old elderly folks,” said Dr Huang Zhiyong, Head of Computer Graphics and Interface Department, Institute for Infocomm Research, A*STAR (pictured).

Once ready to be rolled out, TennisTech can be used in community clubs, Science centres, and schools.

“Virtual reality technology has proven to be very effective. Flatworld, an immersive system created by the University of Southern California, has been customised and used by the American military for virtual exercises,” added Dr Huang.

Dr Huang also described development plans for this new technology: “In future, the virtual player can be personalised and respond to the style, strength and weakness of the sportsperson. It becomes a coaching tool.”

Project Manager Dr Sujoy Roy showcased interactive TV games which are ‘content-driven’ and create value for content providers. “For example, during a lull period of a live soccer match, the viewer will be presented with a game to match the face of his or her favourite player. The content provider is collecting valuable information about its audience, and can in turn ‘push’ relevant content in future – in this case, say an exclusive interview of that soccer player,” explained Dr Roy.

An interactive technology like this has great educational application, continued Dr Roy. An interactive TV, coupled with a camera which can sense the profile of viewers standing in front of it, can respond by showing relevant programmes and games. When the camera picks up that a group of children is standing in front of the TV, for example, it will display educational content.

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