Goocus VR, which specializes in experiential education in virtual spaces, has been released. As a launch customer, the Graduate School of International Resource Sciences at Akita University has decided to use it for educational purposes in the introduction of GSHP in Tajikistan.
"Goocus VR" is a VR-specialized, general-purpose LMS that allows anyone to easily achieve experiential education in a virtual environment. It provides a new learning environment for the near future.
Image of teaching material for GSHP introduction education |
Castalia Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Satoshi Yamawaki, Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter "Castalia") will release the beta version of Goocus VR in April 2024. Goocus VR allows users to add text, quizzes, and other elements to any VR video without the need for specialized software or editing techniques. As a launch customer, the Graduate School of International Resource Sciences at Akita University (Location: Akita City,Japan) will use Goocus VR for on-site introduction education of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) in Tajikistan.
About Goocus VR
Goocus VR is an application specialized in learning in virtual environments, based on the Learning Management System (LMS) Goocus developed by Castalia Co., Ltd.
System Diagram |
Features of Goocus VR
A versatile LMS specialized for VR
You can add text, quizzes, and more to any VR video, including 360-degree videos*, without the need for specialized software or editing techniques.
*360-degree video is a video shot with a 360-degree camera that can be freely viewed from all directions.
Learning management and content updates are also easy
With conventional LMS features, it is possible for administrators to manage users' learning progress, test results, and other learning histories.
Utilization of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) for local introduction education
Akita University's Graduate School of International Resource Sciences is focusing on Tajikistan's abundant groundwater resources in the "The Project for the Development of a Decarbonized Heat Energy Supply System using Ground Heat Source" project under the SATREPS program (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development), a collaborative program between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Tajikistan, with its extreme temperature differences and lack of access to oil and natural gas, is the target for this project. The goal is to stabilize the region and contribute to climate change mitigation by improving the energy situation and creating employment through the construction and dissemination of an "Advanced Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system for arid regions (Tajikistan model)" that integrates ICT technologies such as artificial intelligence.
[SATREPS The Project for the Development of a Decarbonized Heat Energy Supply System using Ground Heat Source (iTAG-SATREPS)]: https://www.akita-u.ac.jp/shigen/itag-satreps/en/
SATREPS The Project for the Development of a Decarbonized Heat Energy Supply System using Ground Heat Source (iTAG-SATREPS) |
In the above project, you will be using a learning system that combines a virtual environment built with Unity and Goocus VR for the local introduction education of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP).
Comments from Professor Fumiaki Inagaki, Graduate School of International Resource Studies, Akita University.
Our project, JST/JICA SATREPS "The Project for the Development of a Decarbonized Heat Energy Supply System using Ground Heat Source," which introduces the virtual learning system "Goocus VR" developed by Castalia, is an international collaborative research project aimed at improving energy access and decarbonization in Central Asia, specifically Tajikistan, using Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) technology. For the widespread adoption of GSHP, local capacity building is essential. However, the physical distance between Tajikistan and Japan has been a challenge. Goocus VR is precisely the tool that overcomes this physical barrier, enabling our project to achieve its goal of implementing GSHP in Tajikistan society.
[Lab Interview: Unraveling the relationship between countries from the civil war in Tajikistan | Akita University, National University Corporation]: https://www.akita-u.ac.jp/honbu/lab/vol_57.html
Upcoming Goocus VR
As of April 2024, it will be the ver.1.0 beta version. For information on ver.1.1 official version, please see below.
▼ Supported Devices
- Meta Quest 2
- Meta Quest 3
▼ Learning Experience Functionality in 360-degree Videos/Images
- Enables learning using our LMS Goocus in VR space.
- Allows learning while viewing 360-degree videos or images, and performing tasks such as answering questions.
▼ Learning Experience Functionality Using 3D Models
- Adds learning functionality to existing 3D models.
- By selecting buttons placed on the 3D model, you can view Goocus content, learn, and answer questions.
- Even if you do not have a 3D model, we accept requests for creating 3D models and adding learning functionality.
■Contact information
■About Castalia
Castalia Inc. is a company that creates new learning with the motto "Education x IT to solve social issues. The company has developed the mobile learning platform "Goocus" and provides it to companies and educational institutions. Together with its original programming education materials, the company is expanding its business not only in Japan but also in the Middle East and Africa.
Company website: https://en.castalia.co.jp/home
Goocus website: https://www.gooc.us/