Done in collaboration with my CS4240 (AR/VR interaction design) course mates Darren Sim, Tan Mei Yen, and Jaron Chan, we sought to leverage VR(Virtual Reality) technology to increase the level of understanding for mental ailments. We clinched 2nd place at STePS (School of Computing Term Project Showcase) for the CS4240 category.

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We came up with SafeSpace, a mental health solution that comprises of an anxiety simulator and meditation guide. With the anxiety simulator, users step in the shoes of a typical person suffering from anxiety in a stressful yet familiar office situation. To counter the intensity of the simulator, SafeSpace also has a mindfulness solution in the form of a VR meditation guide.

We made use of the HTC Vive Pro Eye for its advanced eye-tracking technology which was used to navigate our user interface through gazing at the buttons.

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We utilized Unity VR to make the environment and interactions for both the simulator and also the meditation guide.

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In the simulation, the user would step in the shoes of someone suffering from anxiety and placed in a situation where he has to give a presentation he has not prepared for. Things like increased heart rate, jumbled letters and more aim to simulate how someone with anxiety might feel in such a situation.

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To help solve for anxiety with a mediation guide, where there is a peaceful landscape with a circle expanding to indicate the breathing in and contracting to indicate breathing out.

A promotional video showcasing this experience can be seen below:

Overall, I felt we did a good job on the project, we managed to not overpromise and thus were able to deliver. Special thanks to my wonderful teammates Darren, Jaron and Meiyen, it was a pleasure working on this with you all!