From the PI 

"With the massive shift of the 4th Industrial Revolution, we aim to incorporate Virtual Reality (VR) as a design tool to create environments that could positively impact human health and wellbeing. This research aims to bridge the gap between real-life and virtual experiences by measuring differences in physiological and psychological responses associated with human performance in real-life vs virtual/digital labyrinths. VR has the capability to transform the built environment from static one to a smart dynamic one with two-way communication. Besides revealing the effectiveness of a labyrinth as a form of integrative medical therapy for reducing stress, validating VR will create healing environments accessible to special populations such as the elderly and disabled.

Objectives:

1. Recreate an existing labyrinth in the Tucson Area in VR using 3d cameras, 3d scanners, drone photogrammetry, and 3d modeling software.

2.Measure Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to compare stress and relaxation responses in both real and virtual labyrinths through the use of wrist-worn wearable devices (WHOOP – funding goal)

3.Identify and compare the psychological and physiological impacts of experiencing labyrinths in VR vs.real-life"