Virtual worlds were appeared in movies back in the days. Today, they are seen many and often thanks to technologies such as VR, AR and XR. Not only are they used for movies but also for training, education and many businesses. VR in particular is being used for digital devices that can conduct medical rehabilitation.

Real-feel VR content maximize results of training and education

WHATs LAB is a VR startup researching and developing VR content and controllers for medical, manufacturing, training and safety drill purposes. The company especially focuses on immersive VR digital therapeutic devices. Haewon Song, CTO of WHATs LAB says “We pour a considerable amount of our R&D capability into therapeutic medical devices by using the most of our VR and AR knowhow.” Covering other areas such as manufacturing, training and safety drill in addition to medical devices is costly. Song says “That is why we bring them altogether into virtual world in which trainees feel like they are trained in real field despite it is a virtual reality.” It is notable that WHATs LAB joined hands with Wonju Severance Christian Hospital to have developed a VR digital therapy device for mild cognitive impairment and the exploratory clinical trials will take place within this year. WHATs LAB CEO Donghyun Sim says “The treatment of mild cognitive impairment should normally be taken place at hospital. So the device is expected for the patients to ease the symptoms at home without troubling the travel to hospital.” The company is working on digital treatment that links VR HMD and PC and is further focusing on exercise rehabilitation and treatment of panic disorder and psychological anxiety. 

Air Glove and XR Space

VR is limitless in time and space but lacks in feedback that must come from actual results. Most VR content depends on sound and stimulation. To make up these drawbacks, AR and MR content which are called XR are often applied together. Air Glove, the company’s VR controller, in this respect stands out as it lets us input real movements into VR and we get the feedback generated in the VR environment. The glove touches the fingers and the palm at minimum for smooth feel of the wear and we can feel vibration, pressure and temperature through the glove. The feedback of the touch can be customized according to VR content. CTO Song says “We are working on developing a variety of XR content for Air Glove that lets you feel the feedback of the interchangeable of the content at your hand. This can be linked with WHATs IN XR Space which is expected to be introduced later this year.” WHATs IN XR Space is a portable or indoor-built content of sports entertainment, tourism, health care and safety drill on a 3 surfaces display. It can let you experience water skiing, accident situations and respond, local festivals, etc. The company demonstrated Air Glove and WHATs IN XR Space at the World IT Show 2024 and received praise.