Augmented Reality (AR) - Virtual reality (VR)

  1. A part of the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) Component 2 – “Investments in Indian Council of Agricultural Research Leadership in Agricultural Higher Education” with the financial assistance of the World Bank, ICAR embarked upon an exciting journey of strengthening the National Agricultural Education System in the Country by digital transformation & enhancing the current capabilities of the system.
  2. ICAR-IASRI is the lead center for the above said project and the establishment of a Virtual Reality (VR)/ Augmented Reality (AR) facility in the universities to strengthen agricultural education through ICT interventions is one of the objectives of the project.
  3. ICAR-IASRI will receive 10 VR kits, 1 MR kit, VR/MR/AR software licenses, and 4 learning modules. In addition to this, 10 Agricultural universities were selected to set up an AR/VR facility. ICAR – IASRI has onboarded an agency for supplying the AR/VR kits and design and development of AR/VR-based Learning Modules.
  4. 4 VR kits pre-loaded with a learning module of the choice of the university are developed.
  5. The university wise modules that are being developed in the project are –

List of Universities

S.No. University Name Module
1. Indian Agricultural Research Institute ) IARI, Delhi Paddy straw collector cum chopper
2. Pusa-Farm Sun Fridge
3. Protected Cultivation Technologies
4. Hydroponics
5. Phenomics
6. Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai Aquatic Animal Health Management: Bacterial Disease in Aquatic Animals Diagnosis
7. Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly Uterine torsion in Buffalo & Cattle
8. National Diary Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal Assisted Reproductive Technology (OPU-IVF and cloning) in Diary Animals
9. G.B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology(GBPUAT), Pantnagar Seed Life Cycle- Genesis, Science, Seed Part, Germination
10. University of Agriculture Science(UAS), Bengaluru Advanced Irrigation Method and Technologies to Improve Water Efficiency
11. Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidhypeeth(MPKV), Rahuri Histo-biochemical and molecular studies in drought/Salinity Stress in sugarcane during various growth stages.
12. Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Hyderabad Nematology- Study of Nematodes
13. Bihar Animal Science University (BASU), Patna A topic in Artificial Insemination
14. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana A Topic in Agriculture Engineering.

About Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality (often just called VR) is the name for computer technology that makes a person feel like they are somewhere else. It uses software to produce images, sounds, and other sensations to create a different place so that a user feels like he or she is really part of this other place. That other place can be a real place (to take a tour in another country, for instance) or imaginary (playing a game). A user uses a headset that consists of a screen to project the content, and speakers to produce sounds.

VR places the user inside a virtual world. When you turn your head left you will be able to see the left side of the virtual world and when you turn your head right you will be able to see the right side of the virtual world, like in the real world. VR often also allows moving around in this virtual world or interacting with various components which makes the experience more immersive for the user. Senses like vision, hearing, touch, smell, etc. are simulated to make the user feel more immersed in this artificial world. The aim is to present the wearer with a virtual world that behaves in a similar way to the real world.

Virtual Reality Headsets

The Hardware

  • Oculus headsets are used for the optimum virtual experience.
  • These headsets provide the most crystal-clear optics as well as state-of-the-art 3D graphics.
  • The headset comes with an intuitive controller that allows for point & click interaction.
  • This headset is completely safe on the eyes.

Types of Virtual Reality Experiences

  1. Guided VR Experiences: Virtual Reality is arguably the most powerful platform to showcase almost anything, be it a product, process, space, or service. It helps in creating unique, enthralling, and highly dense information virtual experiences. Guided VR experiences take the user on a tour of any kind of environment, space, product, or service.
  2. Interactive VR Experiences: These are custom-created experiences that allow the user to ‘walk’ or ‘fly’ within a virtual space and directly interact with the objects and UI elements within it to gain a better understanding of it. This interaction can be either gaze or controller based. Interactive VR experiences are particularly suitable for product demonstrations or interior/exterior walkthroughs.
  3. Web VR Experiences: This is one of the oldest technologies in this space. Users can enter a created 3D VR environment or simulation either in FPV (First-Person View) or collaboratively as avatars. These spaces allow for a high level of interactivity and communication, suitable for virtual conferencing, training or gaming.
  4. Avatar based VR Environments: As a part of the project, Facilities are getting created as sophisticated multi-user environments, users can participate in a shared experience from anywhere in the world. People enter the virtual space as avatars and can communicate with others in a shared experience. Spaces can be custom designed for conferencing, networking, learning, social or business interaction.