By Gov1 Staff
ALBANY, N.Y. — Researchers at the University at Albany have launched a study using VR technology to help older adults better prepare for disasters. Led by DeeDee Bennett Gayle, the project, funded by the National Science Foundation, addresses the significant risks older populations face during emergencies. “We are aiming to capitalize on advances in VR training by applying it to improving preparedness, risk perception and protective action decision-making of individuals,” said Bennett Gayle, who chairs UAlbany’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
The study will use Meta Quest VR headsets to simulate hazardous environments, allowing researchers to observe how participants, especially older adults, make decisions during emergencies. Bennett Gayle added, “We see this as a unique opportunity to gamify certain aspects of disaster management training to protect vulnerable populations.”
The interdisciplinary team includes experts from Georgia Tech, Minnesota State, and UAlbany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity (CEHC). In addition to older adults, the project will eventually include other marginalized groups who are disproportionately affected by disasters.
Participants will take part in simulations at CEHC’s Extreme Events, Social Equity and Technology (ESET) lab. Undergraduates and local high school students will assist with building the VR environments, with hardware and software support provided by Albany-based tech start-up Superluminal.
Those interested in participating in the study can contact the team at esetlab@albany.edu.
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