Virtual reality (VR) technology has come a long way since its inception in the 1960s. It is no longer viewed as a fad with clunky graphics, but rather as a tool with immense potential for various applications. Stephen Hilton, a chemist at the School of Pharmacy at University College London, is utilizing VR to enhance scientific engagement and education.
Hilton’s digital laboratory, experienced through VR headsets, replicates the real-life wet lab where his research on synthetic chemistry, including drug discovery, takes place. The virtual environment mimics the physical lab’s layout but with brighter colors and additional supernatural elements.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the decreasing cost of VR headsets have accelerated the exploration of extended reality (XR) technologies, such as VR, augmented reality (AR), and mixed-reality. Researchers like Hilton are now using these tools to monitor experiments, collaborate with international partners, and provide immersive training programs.
Hilton uses the Oculus Quest 2 headset due to its affordability and ability to support multiple headsets simultaneously. His virtual lab, built using Unreal Engine software, can be accessed through PC–headset or PC–PC combinations. It offers various features, including a 20-seat boardroom, providing a virtual meeting space for research partners.
The VR environment is primarily used for training students. They can practice running experiments and completing assignments, either through a laptop or VR headsets at home or on campus. AI assistants in the form of life-sized, cartoonish figures are available to guide and support users. These assistants have dedicated roles, draw on a programmed knowledge base, and use ChatGPT, a large language model, to answer questions and provide assistance.
In addition to educational outreach, Hilton’s team also uses the VR environment for collaborations with secondary-school groups and research institutes in developing countries. VR makes science more accessible by allowing limitless numbers of learners to practice experiments and safety assessments remotely.
Consequently, Hilton spends less time giving instructions and can focus on other projects. He has even developed a tool that allows the virtual assistants to speak ten foreign languages, making the knowledge base accessible to students around the world.
The use of avatars in VR training also makes it more accessible as it transcends language barriers. The body language and gestures of avatars can convey information without relying heavily on spoken language.
VR has also found applications in other fields, such as mining engineering and healthcare. In South Africa, researchers have developed XR-based training tools that allow students to experience potentially dangerous environments in a virtual classroom. This technology has also been extended to rural areas to improve engineering and healthcare education in underserved communities.
Virtual reality is revolutionizing scientific engagement and education, opening up new possibilities and providing immersive experiences that go beyond traditional methodologies.
