Location: Cardiff, Wales
Date: January 6th, 2025
A South Korean university has adopted innovative virtual reality technology built by Cardiff Stiwdio members, clear_pixel VR, who develop VR training platforms that teach students and professionals in laboratory and animal science, to make learning complex skills more accessible, ethical, and cost-effective.
The Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at Ewha Woman’s University, established in 2015, stands as South Korea’s first undergraduate program dedicated to brain and cognitive sciences, striving to deliver exceptional education in this field. Professor Jeiwon Cho and Professor Sanggeon Park, experts in electrophysiology and animal behaviour, are championing the use of VR to overcome long-standing challenges in hands-on laboratory training for undergraduates. They have long aspired to provide hands-on laboratory experience to students, however, they faced significant practical challenges in implementing such programs.
“Our laboratory’s electrophysiology equipment was consistently occupied by graduate students’ research, making it impractical to offer hands-on experience to undergraduates.” explained Prof. Cho. “Additionally, acquiring separate equipment solely for teaching purposes proved financially unfeasible. We also struggled with spatial constraints for conducting animal behaviour experiments with nearly twenty students per class, while addressing crucial laboratory safety protocols and animal ethics considerations.”
A turning point came when the professors encountered clear_pixel VR’s innovative solutions at an international conference. Recognising the potential of VR-based training, they implemented the startup’s VR Laboratory Science and VR Animal Handling modules within their curriculum.
The professors praised clear_pixel VR’s platform for providing an immersive and comprehensive training experience, enabling students to practice complex techniques without the need for physical laboratory access or live animals.
“We are confident that this platform serves as an excellent educational tool, particularly for departments with limited access to laboratory equipment and adequate space for conducting experiments,” added Prof. Cho. “We anticipate clear_pixel VR’s continued growth and look forward to maintaining our collaborative relationship in advancing educational technologies.”
Jake Spanswick, CEO of clear_pixel VR, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “This international collaboration with Ewha Woman’s University is an incredibly exciting milestone for clear_pixel VR. It not only highlights the global demand for innovative educational technologies but also stands as a testament to the invaluable support we’ve received from our Board of Directors and the Welsh Government in expanding our business globally. Their encouragement and advice have been instrumental in helping us reach new markets and demonstrate the impact of Welsh innovation on the world stage.”
About clear_pixel VR
clear_pixel VR is a virtual reality technology company specialising in VR platforms for scientific training. Their highly immersive solutions for laboratory skills development empower students and educators to access realistic, ethical, and cost-effective laboratory experiences without the need for costly equipment or live animals.
Website link: https://clearpixelvr.com
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jake Spanswick
Co-founder & CEO
clear_pixel VR
jspanswick@clearpixelvr.com
