Meta, alongside Cambridge University, invested in a social VR (SVR) framework development team. The team aims to create guidelines and resources that make VR more inclusive, specifically for individuals with disabilities and elderly people. The SVR framework hopes to improve the quality of life, employment prospects, social presence, and physical wellbeing of these individuals through the power of the metaverse.
Dr. Vanja Garaj, the leader of the research team behind the SVR framework, stated: "The buzzing world of SVR has the potential to open up a wide array of opportunities for disabled and older people to engage with life and improve its quality," citing this as the primary reason for Meta's involvement with funding the project.
Some examples of the metaverse programs that Garaj's team aims to make more inclusive are daily workouts, mental stimulation games, job simulators, and social interactions. This helps the target audience feel more fulfilled while remaining active, mentally stimulated, and prepared for real-world jobs.
Inclusive Social VR Programs
Meta Invested in a Social VR Research Team Alongside Universities
Trend Themes
1. Inclusive Social VR Frameworks - There is an opportunity for tech companies to invest in creating more inclusive social VR frameworks to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and elderly people.
2. Accessible Metaverse Programs - There is a growing trend to create accessible metaverse programs such as daily workouts, mental stimulation games, job simulators, and social interactions that aim to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and elderly people.
3. VR for Employment Training and Socialization - A trend towards developing VR programs that offer employment training and socialization opportunities can help bridge the gap for individuals with disabilities in the workforce and improve their overall quality of life.
Industry Implications
1. Virtual Reality Industry - The virtual reality industry has the potential for disruptive innovation by investing in more inclusive and accessible social VR frameworks that focus on improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and elderly people.
2. Health and Wellness Industry - The health and wellness industry can benefit from investing in accessible metaverse programs that offer daily workouts, mental stimulation games, and social interactions for individuals with disabilities and elderly people.
3. Employment and Workforce Development Industry - The employment and workforce development industry has an opportunity to create VR programs that offer employment training and socialization opportunities for individuals with disabilities, which can help bridge the gap in the workforce and improve their overall quality of life.