KIT 724_VR Assignment 3_Phobia Theme

1. Introduction

Anthophobia refers to a serious phobia of flowers. This phobia is particularly prevalent in those who fear being associated with unpleasant occurrences, such as insects, seasonal allergies, loss, or funerals (Cleveland Clinic Medical 2022).

This program's goal is to provide users an opportunity to unwind and get used to the presence of flowers as a condensed form of gentle treatment for Anthophobic patients (especially young patients). Additionally, consumers of moderate VR therapy may experience less apprehension and gradually integrate VR into their regular lives thanks to interactions.

2. Description

Since flowers are present everywhere in daily life. For those who have this fear, it is an unavoidable and challenging component. The patient will become anxious and disturbed while touching, seeing, or smelling flowers. They can not always stay indoors and avoid this plant's presence, which is the problem. The patient needs to understand the illness, acceptance of it, and progressive exposure to it may be the best course of action.

When an application is made using the Desktop platform, users can still view images of flowers but cannot interact with them. They will not adapt to exposure to proactive therapy either.  Patients will make up excuses and refuse medical treatment. Users can only do sensing, seeing, and picture analysis if built on the AR platform, which has fewer encounters and feelings. In AR programs users will, for instance, be able to view images of flowers and listen to music. However, other activities like gripping and object transformation will not be as varied as in VR and cannot evoke the sense of realism that VR does (Yeung et al 2021).

The application needs to be designed genuinely, with real-world behaviours and interactions. They are able to move around, observe flowers, and hold items nearby. Users may also create a flower garden or grow flowers if they like (in future app development). They will have a fun, relaxing, and realistic experience because of this.  Therefore, VR application is a great choice. Users may move, engage, and live as if they were in a real place thanks to the genuine experience it offers (Karagiannis et al 2021).

3. Interactive Design

a. Storyboard

People with phobia histories usually experience anxiety, anger, and rapid discouragement. Since the program's inception, soothing music has been included in the VR software with the goal of making therapy quick and pleasurable for consumers. The environment is created by utilising open space rather than being constrained by vivid colours. Users have unrestricted mobility, just as they would have at home. Kids may then explore and look at the table's decorative flowers and the flowery picture. The interaction with the 3D model gives an opportunity for people who are free to touch and explore it without fear.

b. Interaction

This app will have an interaction: Place the flower vase onto the shelf or anywhere.

Purpose:

The user is more likely to play a game where flowers do not have a significant influence on them when they have the chance to interact closely and their brain gives the command to "put the flowerpot on the shelf" or anywhere they like. They are hence less fearful when carrying out this interaction. They may reenact this experience in the real world just like they would on the VR app.

4. Technical Development The software was developed using the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset and controllers. The user has the ability to start the software at any time. They could start moving around the space, listen to the soft music (Relaxing Meditation Background Music Free Download - Chosic 2021)and see the flora picture. The patient will understand that their surroundings are safe. Customers can move on to the next stage of "putting the vase of flowers on the shelf" or anywhere they wish once they feel more at ease. When the user's panic has faded, they may finally continue planting flowers in the upcoming app update.

5. Description of 3D Models

Figure 1: Flower vase

This model (Figure 1) has a grab function from OculusControler; the user may grab with either their left or right hand to move the model from one location to another. Additionally, the user may see it up close, such as the colour, the vector, etc. The user may verify whether or not their placement of the flower vase is right.

Figure 2: The shelf

The user can set the flower vase on this surface (Figure 2).

6. Reference

Cleveland Clinic Medical 2022, Anthophobia (Fear of Flowers): What Is It, Causes, Symptoms, Cleveland Clinic, viewed 16 September 2022.

Relaxing Meditation Background Music Free Download - Chosic 2021, Chosic, viewed 16 September 2022.

Yeung, AWK, Tosevska, A, Klager, E, Eibensteiner, F, Laxar, D, Stoyanov, J, Glisic, M, Zeiner, S, Kulnik, ST, Crutzen, R, Kimberger, O, Kletecka-Pulker, M, Atanasov, AG & Willschke, H 2021, ‘Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications in Medicine: Analysis of the Scientific Literature’, Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 23, no. 2, p. e25499.

Karagiannis, P, Togias, T, Michalos, G & Makris, S 2021, ‘Operators Training Using Simulation And VR Technology’, Procedia CIRP, vol. 96, pp. 290–294.