A new business is aiming to harness the power of virtual reality to help train future Olympic athletes.
Set up by University of Salford graduate Piotr Kotlarek, ‘The VR Den’ has one of the only fully immersive VR experiences in Europe which tracks feet movements, head and body position and arm movements.
Currently Kotlarek hires the equipment out to events and gaming conferences across the country, but he now wants to use the kit and his skills to create experiences that will help to prepare athletes.
“There is already research proving the potential value that VR has in education,” said Piotr.
“It is another device that anyone can learn, it’s no different to using any other piece of kit, but it is just so much more immersive than using a controller or keyboard and mouse.
“You could recreate a track or a course in the VR environment and then the athlete could practice in as a real a situation as possible to prepare themselves for what the environment will be like.”
The VR Den is receiving assistance from the new incubator unit Launch@SalfordUni at the University of Salford, which opened earlier this year.
Businesses in the incubator get access to office space as well as masterclasses and one to one sessions with experienced entrepreneurs to help focus and build their businesses. Launch@SalfordUni is supported by the Business Growth Hub.
“It is great to see these businesses start to develop as the incubator beds in,” said Dave Spicer, Dean of the University of Salford Business School, which supports Launch@Salford.
“The University of Salford aims to make sure our graduates leave us with the skills to succeed in whatever field they want when they leave us.
“This incubator is one way we show that commitment as we create the entrepreneurs of the future, people whose drive and ambition could create the jobs of the future and help support the regions economy.”