Building PREPAREDness with Collaborative Knowledge Platform, Gamification and Serious Game in Virtual Reality

Project Information

B-prepared

Grant agreement ID: 101121134

DOI

10.3030/101121134

EC signature date 20 July 2023

Start date 1 October 2023

End date 30 September 2026

Funded under

• Civil Security for Society

Total cost

€ 5 566 925,00

EU contribution

€ 4 998 765,00

Coordinated by

HUN-REN SZAMITASTECHNIKAI ES AUTOMATIZALASI KUTATOINTEZET
Hungary

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - B-prepared (Building PREPAREDness with Collaborative Knowledge Platform, Gamification and Serious Game in Virtual Reality)

Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2025-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Natural disasters increasingly threaten communities worldwide due to climate change, urbanization, and inadequate preparedness. In Europe, hazards like floods, wildfires, and storms persist, yet public awareness and community readiness are inconsistent, leading to severe losses during crises. The B-prepared project addresses these challenges by enhancing community resilience and empowering citizens with essential knowledge for disaster response.

B-prepared's main goal is to improve safety across European communities by providing an innovative platform for accessible disaster training. By utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) and gamified mobile applications, B-prepared aims to make learning engaging for all age groups and promotes knowledge sharing through "Disastropedia," connecting citizens and emergency services.

Key components of B-prepared's impact include interactive training tools to raise awareness and equip citizens with emergency skills, gamified elements to enhance participation, and improved coordination between citizens and emergency services. The project also integrates into public education initiatives to bolster long-term resilience.

Aligning with European initiatives on disaster resilience and safety, B-prepared seeks to reduce the human and economic toll of natural disasters in Europe, engaging thousands of citizens and providing resources to schools.

Additionally, B-prepared incorporates social sciences to understand human factors in preparedness, ensuring training methods are effective, culturally sensitive, and cater to diverse needs, motivating citizens to engage in preparedness efforts.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Work Performed:

1. Participation in WP and Meetings:
- Actively participated in Work Package (WP) and project meetings, contributing to discussions and decisions.
- Coordinated with WP leaders to align activities with project goals.
- Provided updates and addressed issues during meetings.

2. Periodic Reports:
- Contributed to drafting and editing periodic reports, ensuring accuracy.
- Collaborated with team members to gather necessary information.
- Reviewed and provided feedback to ensure high-quality reports.

3. Risk Management:
- Supported coordination of risk management with WP leaders and stakeholders.

4. Quality Management:
- Helped set and assess quality standards.
- Supported the implementation of quality control measures.

5. Research and Innovation:
- Conducted research in relevant areas to foster innovation and advance the goals of the BPrepared project.
- Developed a VR game concept using a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) approach, focused on aligning user needs, operational goals, and system requirements, optimizing for Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE).

6. Data and Stakeholder Management:
- Maintained and reviewed the Data Management Plan (DMP) as needed.
- Supported the Data Protection Office and assisted partners when necessary.
- Engaged with stakeholders to foster collaboration.

7. Technical and Educational Contributions:
- Developed teaching content related to Learning Management System (LMS) components.
- Contributed to the VR part of the technical specification via scientific publications.
- Network resource management related to VR, published in scientific venues.

8. Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration:
- Started contributing to Disastropedia by adding content, supporting the collaborative knowledge platform for sharing preparedness information among citizens.


Main Achievements:

1. Publications and Dissemination:
- Published findings at IEEE FMEC 2024, contributing to the knowledge base of VR and MEC.
- Published a blog in collaboration with TFC and Sztaki to reach a broader audience.
- Presented findings at conferences to share knowledge with peers and gather feedback.

2. Optimization Model and QoS/QoE Standards:
- Developed an optimization model to evaluate metrics such as system efficiency and user satisfaction.
- Published a QoS/QoE model to establish and validate industry standards.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Results Beyond the State of the Art:

In its first year, the BPrepared project achieved innovative results that advance disaster preparedness and response, improving practices and laying a foundation for future initiatives.

Initial Development of VR Training Modules:
- Initiated the creation of VR training modules to enhance user engagement and retention, providing immersive experiences that surpass traditional methods.
Data Processing with Mobile Edge Computing (MEC):
-Implemented MEC optimizations for data processing and communication, reducing latency and enhancing efficiency beyond current cloud solutions.
Contributions to Disastropedia - A Collaborative Knowledge Platform:
-Added content to Disastropedia, promoting knowledge sharing among citizens and enhancing community resilience.

Potential Impacts:
-Improved Community Engagement: User-centric design and gamification are expected to increase participation in disaster preparedness initiatives.
-Empowered Citizens: Disastropedia fosters active involvement in preparedness efforts, building a culture of resilience.

Key Needs for Further Success:
-Further Research:Additional studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of VR training modules and gamified applications.
-Demonstration Projects: Pilot projects will provide essential data on scalability and effectiveness, refining these innovations for broader use.

Overview of Results:
The BPrepared project has made significant strides in its first year, establishing a pathway to enhance community resilience through innovative strategies that leverage technology, research, and community involvement.