How extended reality can keep older Hongkongers moving and battling real-life foes
- ‘I have to stop. If not, I may get addicted to it,’ says Sherra Ho, 66, after taking part in a Cantonese opera ‘battle’ with help of technology at Gerotech and Innovation Expo
- Welfare chief Chris Sun tells audience Hong Kong must ‘make good use of technology’ as society greys
Housewife Sherra Ho has never taken part in a Cantonese opera battle on stage, but she had her first taste of the experience using extended reality in Hong Kong on Thursday.
Choosing a spear as her prop, she stood in an “arena” shown on massive digital screens surrounding her and swung the weapon according to instructions, striking her opponent 13 times.
“It was a really fun game. I have not been so thrilled in a long time,” the 66-year-old said after two rounds. “I have to stop. If not, I may get addicted to it.”
The game hosted in the VirCube XR Space was one of 800 creations showcased at this year’s Gerotech and Innovation Expo at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The company behind the game said it hoped to provide older residents with new sensory experiences that included a short physical workout using mixed reality.
“Many residents can only watch TV as their only activity, which can be boring,” said Motive Force CEO Terence Tseng Chun-hung. “This immersive system can help older residents kill time and be physical simultaneously.”
Sensors inside the spear and the extended reality space could also help assess the participant’s mobility, he added.
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, which co-organised the expo, said the four-day event had attracted a record-breaking 200 local and overseas exhibitors.
“We remain more committed than ever to embrace challenges and opportunities in the post-pandemic new life,” council chairman Bernard Chan said. “We look forward to exploring how cities in the Greater Bay Area can collaborate and co-create communities designed to meet the needs of our precious senior citizens.”