Innovative Roblox Disaster Education Experience to Debut at Major XR Event

Introduction

Meta Osaka, a pioneering company based in Osaka, is set to showcase a revolutionary disaster education experience at the upcoming XR Kaigi Hub in Osaka on September 11 and 12, 2025. This innovative content, known as the "Virtual Firefighter Experience," is designed in collaboration with a former firefighter and aims to provide a realistic yet safe simulation of fire scenarios using the popular gaming platform Roblox, which boasts 380 million users worldwide.

Background and Development

The conception of this unprecedented educational tool stemmed from the reflections of Shogo Ebata, a project manager at Meta Osaka and a former firefighter. Having served with the Tokyo Fire Department for two and a half years, Ebata observed first-hand the critical importance of understanding fire dynamics—oftentimes, firefighters arrive too late to avert disasters. He realized that traditional fire safety education often fails to convey the genuine fear and urgency of fire incidents.

To bridge this gap, the idea of utilizing a virtual space emerged, allowing users to experience a simulated fire disaster safely. Roblox was identified as the ideal platform due to its accessibility via smartphones, familiarity among young audiences, and lack of special equipment requirements. Thus, the journey toward developing the "Virtual Firefighter Experience" began.

Overview of the Virtual Firefighter Experience

This educational tool involves a time-attack format lasting approximately four minutes, where users participate in a series of actions related to fire safety. The key steps include:

- Detecting Fire: Participants learn to recognize smoke and potential danger within a home environment.
- Calling for Help: Users simulate making an emergency call by dialing 119 from a public phone.
- Firefighting Actions: The experience enables participants to identify the fire source and practice extinguishing it using a virtual hose.

Pilot Implementation in Sakai City

Meta Osaka has collaborated with the Sakai City Board of Education to test this content at Shojin-ji Primary School. During the trial, the combination of traditional fire extinguisher education with the engaging Roblox firefighter game proved highly effective in enhancing student learning. Teachers reported that the game significantly captured the students' focus, leading to better educational outcomes. In a pilot program that involved 18 third graders, the integration of gameplay elements helped instill fire safety awareness in a dynamic manner.

Plans for Expo 2025

The upcoming exhibition will also see significant improvements to the content, aimed at re-creating various realistic fire phenomena. Real fire experiences include:

- Backdraft: A potentially explosive combustion phenomenon triggered by oxygen influx.
- Flashover: A dangerous condition where an entire room ignites simultaneously.
- Floor Collapse: An occurrence where structure integrity is compromised by high temperatures.
- Neutral Layer: The boundary between smoke and clean air layers.

These enhancements will not only elevate the level of difficulty but will also ensure that even adults can learn the intricacies and critical decision-making processes faced by firefighters in emergent situations. Users will foster the skills necessary for making quick and informed decisions during actual fire emergencies.

Insights from Leadership

Moei Hideaki, the CEO of Meta Osaka, remarked that their objective transcends mere technology demonstrations, as they aim to leverage the metaverse to address real societal challenges. Traditional fire education often reduces the topic to cautionary phrases. However, in a real disaster, split-second decisions could mean the difference between life and death. By integrating Ebata's field experiences with cutting-edge metaverse technology, they have developed an educational tool that enables users to safely experience the 'real fear' of fire.

Ebata echoed these sentiments, calling attention to the misconceptions often held by those who have never faced a fire. Traditional classroom settings fail to elucidate the rapid spread of flames or the chaos caused by smoke, which can lead to panic. Virtual reality allows for immersive experiences with dangerous phenomena like backdrafts and flashovers, making it essential for developing comprehensive understanding and awareness.

Event Information

Meta Osaka will be showcasing the "Virtual Firefighter Experience" at the XR Kaigi Hub event.

- Event Name: XR Kaigi Hub in Osaka
- Dates: September 11 (Thursday) and September 12 (Friday), 2025
- Venue: Namba Parks 1F "e Stadium Namba Main Store" and Namba Sky-O Convention Hall.
- Capacity: 500 attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Registration: Interested participants can register at XR Kaigi Hub Registration.

Future Endeavors

The Virtual Firefighter Experience will be permanently available at the e Stadium Namba Main Store, catering to the general public and educators alike. Furthermore, it will also participate in the "Future Children Expo" at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, where enhanced content will be displayed, providing an opportunity for a broader audience to engage.