Local company helping create virtual dance space for hospitalized children

By Richard Coffin

Kids in the hospital for extended stays will soon have their own virtual dance space, thanks in part to a North Bay-based Extended Reality (XR) Lab and animation studio.

Charitable organization Be Earth Foundation first envisioned the project, with North Bay’s ABoot Studios working with Brock University students to create the digital world.

Officials say the collaboration will result in a safe and inclusive online space where children in care can connect, dance and play together, regardless of physical boundaries.

“Patients between the ages of eight and 15 can design fully customizable avatars that reflect who they are — from outfits and cultural styles to mobility options and accessibility settings — and step into interactive adventures that blend movement, play and storytelling with hands-on discovery,” says Jason Rothberg, Partner/Producer with ABoot Studios.

The students are developing key components, including avatars, animations, digital environments, interactive games, and more.

“While our future developers are getting hands-on experience designing, coding and animating for ABoot’s virtual dance space, they are simultaneously developing valuable communication and collaboration skills by working with a leading innovator in immersive experiences,” says Jeremy Leipert, Brock’s Digital Humanities Project Co-ordinator.

The final digital assets will be unveiled at Brock’s Interactive Arts and Digital Media Showcase in April.

The project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative and Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada’s iHUB.

Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years.  From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.