Virtro Advances Healthcare Care Home Training With AI & Virtual Humans

Virtro

The current Covid-19 pandemic has put extreme amounts of pressure on healthcare workers whilst highlighting the need for more advanced training techniques. Recently, training simulation Virtro announced work on a project designed specifically for workers in long term care homes.

Virtro

Those living in these care homes tend to be more susceptible and are at greater risk if they catch Covid-19. So Virtro is developing this soft skills application which addresses both PPE training and ways to talk with residents in a suitable manner.

Virtro is using AI technology to create an advanced conversation engine so that staff can have unscripted conversations with Virtual Humans. This enables them to develop their conversational experience in a more natural way, rather than systems require multiple-choice answers.

“COVID-19 has impacted the world in an unprecedented way, and the interactions that healthcare workers are having with patients are drastically different, and we want to create applications that can contribute to positive health outcomes for people around the world,” said President of Virtro, Lee Brighton in a statement.

Virtro

“Our goal is to emulate the emotions and feelings that healthcare workers may have when engaging with patients or colleagues; this is why we emphasize the importance of having free-flowing conversations in our applications,” Brighton continues. “With the assistance of AI, we can truly make innovative purpose-based learning programs that provide higher learning engagement and retention.”

Currently going through testing, Virtro aims to roll the new application out early this year, supporting both virtual reality (VR) headsets as well via web browsers for PC and Mac. For further updates on VR in healthcare, keep reading VRFocus.

Nothing Half-Baked About Zombie Donuts Update

Earlier this year, Vancouver-based developer Virtro released its sugary twist on the zombie shooter, Zombie Donuts, on to the Samsung Gear VR. The company has now announced an update for the title as part of the Halloween celebrations.

Though Halloween is technically over, some people just don’t want to let the spooky season go. For those people there is a host of new content now available for Zombie Donuts players.

Two new characters are being introduced, the piratical Long John Zombie and mini-donut Zom-bit. The Candy Apocalypse environment has been updated, as has the Tutorial mode. The levels have been re-balanced to make things fairer for players.

There are also new animation sequences added, including the donuts dancing Michael Jackson’s famous ‘Thriller’ moves. The soundtrack has seen an update, which the developers say now sounds spookier with more zombie groans.

The developers have listened to players and have introduced new systems to improve the feedback players get when hitting a target.

“I won’t sugar-coat it,” says Faye Maidment, Marketer at Virtro, “These donuts will run rings around you. You’ll need your wits about you to pummel all that pastry.”

Zombie Donuts is not only a great experience for a first-timer in VR, it’s also highly competitive,” says Jordan Brighton CEO and CTO, “With the donuts spawning all over the Candyland, it’s even more challenging to blast all of the dastardly donuts, especially the tiny Zom-bit.”

Virtro is based in Vancouver, Canada and founded by Australian developers Jordan and Lee Brighton with the aim of creating VR titles that anyone can enjoy, using their own blend of videogame mechanics, storytelling and art design.

Zombie Donuts is now available on Oculus Go, Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard and Google Daydream. For future coverage on Zombie Donuts and other new, updated and upcoming VR titles, keep checking back with VRFocus.

Welcome to Sugary Hell as Zombie Donuts Rolls Onto Gear VR

Vancouver-based indie developer Virtro released its first virtual reality (VR) title Run Dorothy Run for PlayStation VR earlier this year, and now its next experience Zombie Donuts has arrived for Samsung Gear VR

zombie donuts screenshot 2

A light-hearted experience just like its first title, Zombie Donuts see’s you fighting off waves of the undead sugary hordes with your trusty marshmallow blaster. You’ll face the evil donuts in waves over 3 different levels. In each level, zombie donuts will sneak up on you from every angle, in this immersive 360 experience. Manage your ammo and aim carefully to score extra points with long, bounce and trick shots.

“We are all very excited about this release”, said Jordan Brighton, Virtro founder & CEO in a statement. “The team had worked tirelessly and the result, Zombie Donuts, is a nice tribute to the zombie genre alongside being a fun and entertaining title that everyone can play. We’re thrilled to finally be able to share it.”

“This game will make you jump, laugh and even squeal. From 9 to 99 everybody loves it!” adds Brighton.

zombie donuts screenshot 1

Zombie Donuts launches in the US today for Samsung Gear VR, retailing at $0.99 USD. The title is also available for iOS and Android devices compatible with Google Cardboard. Additionally, Virtro has confirmed that Zombie Donuts will support Oculus Go when it becomes available.

At the recent Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2018 VRFocus got its first hands on look at Oculus Go, playing Anshar Online and They Suspect Nothing.  Oculus recently revealed several pieces of launch content for Oculus Go, including  Vacation Simulator and Catan VR, although the company has yet to announce an actual release date for the standalone headset. As further details emerge, VRFocus will keep you updated.

Pick up the Pace as Run Dorothy Run Sprints Towards PlayStation VR

Virtual reality (VR) can offer a wealth of new ideas and gameplay prospects that can’t achieved via normal 2D screens. But as developers have shown VR can also offer new ways of looking at traditional videogame genres, offering myriad of ways to immerse players. On style of videogame that’s popular on mobile devices is the endless runner, which has seen various iterations in VR. The latest comes from Virtro Entertainment, in the form of Run Dorothy Run which is due to be released for PlayStation VR next month.

With a humorous take on the literary classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, where the Wizard has broken up with the Wicked Witch of the West, and naturally she’s somewhat annoyed so steals his stuff, runs off, and proceeds to drop all of it across Oz. Playing as Dorothy, it’s up to you to collect his belongings, because, well why not.

Run Dorothy Run screenshot 1

Run Dorothy Run pits players against 16 levels such as the Emerald City, the Scorched Plains, and the Wicked Witch’s castle. As an endless runner the world is constantly moving so it’s up to players to duck and dodge out the way of incoming obstacles, whilst collecting plenty of magic crystals on route.

Naturally the Witch isn’t going to make things too easy so there are going to be enemies to dispatch using the PlayStation Move controllers. Not to worry though as Virtro Entertainment has not only provided power-ups to collect, the entire experience features an electro-swing soundtrack to move to. Plus there are three difficulty levels depending on your jive level.

Run Dorothy Run is coming first to PlayStation VR on 12th December, 2017, the studio has confirmed. So by that statement additional version for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive maybe on the cards.

As further details about Run Dorothy Run are released, VRFocus will keep you updated.