Recently, Shenzhen Hua Bao Technology Co., Ltd., Zhuhai Shiji DingLi Co., Ltd. and Beijing Raka Business Service Co., Ltd. donated 15 million yuan to set up a fund for the construction of the Tianjin University virtual reality experimental teaching center, and supporting the university to establish a leading domestic high-level teaching center.
Jin Zhongjia, the executive director and general manager of Shenzhen Hua Bao Technology Co., Ltd., said that Tianjin University is a beautiful university with a fine tradition. If their fund makes effect, their company will continue to make additional donations.
Shenzhen Hua Bao Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the most influential high-tech companies in China. Zhuhai Shiji DingLi Co., Ltd. is a well-known listed company in the field of domestic vocational education. Beijing Raka Business Service Co., Ltd. is a system integrator focusing on virtual reality technology and products. Hua Bao Technology Co., Ltd. leads the tripartite cooperation.
Virtual Reality& Augmented Reality (VRAR) technology has been a hot research field in recent years. The technology uses advanced computer technology to generate an interactive and three-dimensional dynamic simulation system of entity behavior, reproducing or simulating the real world. It’s a complex collection of professional skills, involving extremely sophisticated technology in many fields from computer graphics to ergonomics and human-computer interaction. Through virtual reality, people can achieve the abstract and simulation of the real world, which is an important method of world exploration and scientific experiments. Compared with the virtual reality, augmented reality is designed to enhance the reality by virtual technology.
Virtual reality technology has important applications in commerce, medical treatment, national defense, education, vocational training and in people's virtual social and entertainment worlds and much more. “Virtual reality and augmented reality technology can help solve practical problems of experimental teaching.” said Tao Wenyuan, Vice President of School of Computer Software at Tianjin University.
At present, experimental teaching conditions can’t meet the needs of practical teaching due to lack of funds, practice equipment and space; also, college students lack the motivation and interest because practical courses tend to emphasize theoretical knowledge because of technological limitations. Also occasionally, security incidents occur in university laboratories.
Tianjin University is to set up a virtual reality experimental teaching center. “The use of virtual reality & augmented reality technology can enhance the immersion and authenticity of teaching. By using the somatosensory equipment, students are able to observe and operate the professional equipment in the simulated environment. They can also interact with the equipment, making the experiments lifelike and interesting.” Tao Wenyuan said. This technology breaks the limits of site, resources, equipment and other restrictions and reduces the costs and risks of experimentation. It also simplifies the teaching work to a certain extent as teacher’s explanations become more clear and convenient with the technology.
The experimental teaching center will carry out practice and demonstrations on water conservancy facilities, animation, industrial design, digital medical diagnosis and other fields. It will commence the research on virtual reality teaching in five domains: acquisition, analysis, modeling, presentation and interaction, as well as developing and technically supporting virtual reality experimental teaching. Also training for teachers on using virtual reality technology is going to be implemented. It will support students’ VR+ innovation and entrepreneurship and provide public experience of the virtual reality technology and equipment.
