The Naledi3d Factory participates in a UNESCO-funded
Pan-African water project
One of The Innovation Hub tenants, the Naledi3d
Factory, was recently invited to join a UNESCO
Pan-African team as the South African representative, to
create multi-media content that visually demonstrates a
number of water-related concepts to people living in
rural areas.
Under the auspices of the pan-African Virtual
Multimedia Academy (VMA), the team has been tasked to
create learning content using virtual reality (VR) and
in particular, Naledi3d's newly developed
"Interactive 3d Learning Object" concept. The
team consists of representatives from Ethiopia, Senegal,
Sudan, Mozambique and South Africa.
The aim is to use the power of VR simulations to
educate people in rural areas about issues relating to
the responsible use of water and sanitation. The issues
addressed through VR by the Naledi3d Factory in this
project include building a pit-latrine, and
demonstrating the principles of hydroelectric power
generation and the mechanisms of a hand-pump.
In rural areas, flush toilets are often not an option
due to the demands on local water supply. A pit latrine
is a suitable alternative that provides satisfactory and
acceptable sanitation. With the necessary guidelines and
a little technical help, families can cost-effectively
and successfully build their own latrines.
The VR-based
pit latrine model visually demonstrates how to build
such a structure, and shows the differences between this
design and others. In addition, the VR model provides a
step-by-step guide for prospective users to build a
virtual structure by clicking on the different
components. The simulated 3D environment gives visual
and audio feedback on every step - from "virtually"
digging a pit, adding the slab and building the
structure to constructing the all-important ventilation
system.
Showing the generation of hydroelectric power (HEP)
was prompted by a need in Senegal. Farmers downstream
from a proposed dam were fearful that their water supply
would be reduced and that the scheme would use water to
generate electricity in the same way that coal or oil is
consumed.
The VR simulation also demonstrates the general
principles of micro hydroelectric power schemes (which
in themselves can be a powerful source of electricity
provision in rural areas); shows how hydroelectric power
is generated and how a pump storage system works. Most
importantly, the VR model shows that water is not lost
to downstream users.
The Naledi3d Factory has used the "Interactive 3d
Learning Object" concept to create a new, very
powerful VR learning tool that can be used in general
education, as well as in life skills training. One of
its most outstanding features lies in the ability for
any user to change the language elements (both text and
audio) themselves.
This UNESCO project and the "3d Interactive
Learning Objects" that are emerging, have once again
demonstrated the versatility and power of VR as a visual
communication tool that successfully bridges language
and literacy barriers in the developing areas of the
world.
"This concept - that VR can make a huge difference to
people in developing communities -has been one of the
drivers for the Naledi3d Factory since joining The
Innovation Hub as a tenant over four years ago", says
Lockwood.
For more information contact Dave
Lockwood at the Naledi3d
Factory,
Tel: +27 (0)12 844 1010
Cell: +27 (0)82 894 3178
[Back
to top]
Next
[Back
to top]
Next
| 
This month's highlights
