#Japan #Hiroshima #Piro Piro Party #Hiroshima International University #AR Training

Innovative Rehabilitation Game Launch

On October 30, Hiroshima International University will release a groundbreaking augmented reality game designed to assist in swallowing and breathing rehabilitation. Developed in collaboration with Lupinus, a health and care support company, this new game, titled Piro Piro Party, is a brainchild of Professor Tatsuya Fukuoka and his students in the Rehabilitation Science Department. The project has been in development since January 2023, demonstrating the power of academia-industry collaboration.

Highlights of the Project

• - Academic and Industry Partnership: The collaboration resulted in the creation of two exciting new AR games.
• - Student-Driven Innovation: The game’s content was conceived by students researching swallowing rehabilitation.
• - Expert Oversight: Professor Fukuoka provided oversight to assess changes in breathing and swallowing functions.

Why AR Games Matter

As people age, their ability to swallow diminishes, increasing the risk of aspiration—a dangerous condition caused by improper swallowing. Moreover, modern dietary habits have led to a decline in oral muscle strength, which is problematic for both children and the elderly. Piro Piro Party cleverly combines digital and analog elements through a whistle-like controller equipped with an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip and augmented reality, facilitating enjoyable training for improving oral function and stimulating cognitive activity.

Game Mechanics and Development

The game includes features that are fun for players of all ages. There are two primary modes in the game:
1. Piro Piro Balloon: Players launch balloons into the sky while trying to blow away obstacles that appear.
2. Piro Piro MUSIC: Players blow towards flowing musical notes, trying to hit them in time with the rhythm.

The intelligent design ensures that when the player exhausts their breath to reach a specific point, the AR marker is recognized by the smartphone camera, bringing characters to life on the screen.

The students, aspiring speech therapists, contributed creatively to the gameplay, balancing difficulty and designing compelling characters while selecting suitable tracks to enhance user experience.

Under Professor Fukuoka’s guidance, local elderly individuals tested the game to assess changes in their breathing and swallowing functions during gameplay. The goal was to transform the often tedious task of rehabilitation into something enjoyable and engaging.

Product Overview

• - Game Title: Piro Piro Party - Balloon & MUSIC
• - Price: 2,420 yen (tax included)
• - Oversight: Professor Tatsuya Fukuoka, Hiroshima International University
• - Game Access: Users can start playing by scanning the included QR code. The package comes with two specially designed whistle controllers.
• - Technology: The system utilizes AR marker recognition and whistle controllers with varying resistance.
• - Compatible Devices: The game is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and PCs equipped with cameras.
• - Purchase Link: Piro Piro Party Official Site

This innovative project not only highlights the educational creativity of students but also serves as a meaningful tool to assist individuals in improving their oral motor functions. With such initiatives, Hiroshima International University continues to make significant contributions to health and rehabilitation technologies.