News

Friday 7 November 2008

Finding real-world benefits in interactive technology

Blind people could soon be using the remote control from a Nintendo Wii to navigate virtual recreations of real world-environments - before stepping into them in person. The ‘Virtual Cane’ project is just one idea being explored by experts in the Interactive Systems Research Group (ISRG) at Nottingham Trent University, which aims to utilise the potential of videogame consoles, virtual environments and the Internet, to address issues of social inclusion, specialist education and rehabilitation.

Based in the University’s School of Science and Technology, the ISRG is recognised as an international and pioneering centre for the development of technical innovations and research. Formed in 2000 and led by David Brown - Professor of Interactive Systems for Social Inclusion - the group has worked on the development of virtual environments for the education of people with intellectual impairments as well as physical disabilities. Their work on ‘serious games’ has been funded by a range of government agencies and research councils, and the materials they have produced are being put to use in a wide range of environments, including classrooms, specialist education centres and even prisons.

The full range of materials, initiatives and research carried out by the ISRG will form part of a national conference hosted by Nottingham Trent University, entitled ‘Interactive Technologies: Education, disability and rehabilitation’. Academics and experts from across the UK will meet on Wednesday 12 November at the University’s Clifton campus to discuss the future of their work and wider developments in the field.

Professor David Brown, said: “A lot of our work has gone into making new technologies accessible and useable for everybody. Our research here at Nottingham Trent University though, is unlocking the wider potential of new technologies to realise the help that they can offer to broader social issues and challenges. We’re delighted to be hosting this one day conference where we’ll be discussing the future of what has rapidly become a very important field of research and development.”

Other Nottingham Trent University projects on display will include ‘Snake robot’, a seven foot free standing pneumatic robot which responds to human movement and has the potential to be used for help with muscle rehabilitation and exercise therapy.

Speakers will also present ideas on the applications of virtual reality therapy, the design challenges being faced by rehabilitation technology and the potential for ‘eye-gaze’ communication technology for people with disabilities.

ENDS

Notes for editors:
Press enquiries please contact Matt Wallace, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8785, or via email: matthew.wallace@ntu.ac.uk; or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.