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Virtual Planet Technologies

EDU

Virtual Planet Technologies

Virtual Planet Technologies (VPT)'s mission is to tackle global challenges through the transformative power of immersive storytelling. Our team is all about using tech and storytelling to make a difference in climate change awareness. We're a team of experts in environmental and social sciences, arts, and film, creating interactive tools for learning about climate impacts and what we can do about them. Our immersive experiences are designed to help people understand these issues and take steps for a better future. We're tackling global challenges like heat waves, wildfires, coastal storms, sea level rise, mental health, and more. Join us in our mission to push for change and create a positive impact.

EDU Approved
Education Approved developers have worked side-by-side with respected educational institutions. This badge promises that you’re dealing with a trusted expert in the field.

Notable Customers:

The City of Santa Cruz, The Nature Conservancy, Aquarium of the Pacific, Stanford University, Florida Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, FL

Media Gallery

Use Cases

‘An Eye-Opener’: Virtual Reality Shows Residents What Climate Change Could Do
Connie Monroe clicks a button, flicks her wrist and watches as her neighborhood floods.

The reed-covered shorelines are first to go. Then, the baseball fields at Fleming Park. By the time seawater reaches the senior center, it has inundated streets, flooding more than a dozen multiunit brick homes that she can see.

Monroe moves her head up and down, side to side, taking in the sobering simulated view. This is what could happen to Turner Station, a historic African American community southeast of Baltimore, as sea levels rise.

“Everything’s underwater. The school is underwater. Our house is underwater,” Monroe says. A frown forms below the bulky gray virtual reality headset covering her eyes. “Is the water really supposed to get that high?”

Climate change presents many challenges to coastal communities and to those trying to prepare for its impacts, but one of the most basic is also one of the most vexing: How do you show people — and convince them — of a possible future?

Read the Full NPR Story →

Virtual Planet on WSJ Live Tech 2020

Testimonials

“VPT’s experiences engaged thousands of residents and visitors.”
– Tiffany Wise-West, Sustainability and Climate Action Manager, City of Santa Cruz

“The virtual reality experience was quite enlightening.”
– Keith A. James, Mayor, City of West Palm Beach

“This is really amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
– Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Chief Resilience Officer, Broward County

Top Product Offerings

Creating Safe Passage

Graniterock, Caltrans, Virtual Planet Technologies and the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County have teamed up to create a virtual reality experience of the groundbreaking construction of the HW17 wildlife tunnel at Laurel Curve. The tunnel will provide long-ranging wildlife—most notably Santa Cruz mountain lions—with safe passage under the heavily trafficked highway.

Dive

Dive! An Inspiring Journey through California’s Marine Protected Areas.

In the VR experience students join an animated sea lion named Marina on a fun and educational journey in a Save Our Shores submarine observing and interacting with various species in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along the Central California and Southern California coastlines. The creators consulted with our region’s indigenous leaders to ensure their traditional territories are identified and honored as students arrive at Año Nuevo State Marine Reserve, Point Lobos State Marine Reserve, Casino Point State Marine Conservation Area, and Judith Rock State Marine Reserve during the expedition. You can try this immersive experience and two ways, using an Oculus Quest headset, or on Vimeo 360Âş!

Sea Level Rise Explorer – Long Beach, CA

The goal of this project was to shape a community dialogue around sea level rise adaptation and the role of managed retreat in one of California’s largest coastal cities, Long Beach. The goal of these dialogues is to find ways of engaging residents that empower them to participate in the design of future communities. With the help of Virtual Planet Technologies, TNC California developed a virtual reality (VR) experience with the community to visualize sea level rise impacts and potential solutions for Long Beach. The VR serves as a tool to catalyze community discussions about current and future risk and options for long-term resilience, including controversial topics like managed retreat.

Long Beach is coastal community located just south of the City of Los Angeles is a coastal city, home to nearly 500,000 residents. Long Beach is already experiencing coastal flooding during King Tides (the highest tides of the year and coastal storms. According to a recent study, approximately 1.3 million square feet of buildings could be exposed to annual king tides by 2030. In the long-term, with sea level rise, some parts of the City are projected to be permanently inundated, especially the coastal communities of Alamitos Bay the focus of this experience. Once a large system of wetlands, the bay is now home to about 40,000 people.

Sea Level Rise Explorer – West Palm Beach, FL

Funded by a FL state grant, the VR experience was developed by a team of experts at Virtual Planet and FAU, who leveraged their expertise in computer science, engineering, art, and psychology to create a truly unique and engaging experience. In collaboration with the City of West Palm Beach, the team has created a virtual environment that allows users to explore and interact with the city in a way that has never been possible before. This new virtual reality experience offers a variety of exciting features, including realistic virtual environments, interactive experiences, and immersive storytelling. Whether you’re interested in exploring the city’s vibrant culture, experiencing its rich history, or simply having some fun, this new virtual reality experience is designed to meet your needs.

Wildfires in the West

Fire risks are increasing worldwide and there is an urgent need for action. 2018 was one of the worst years for wildfires in California’s history. More than 1 million acres burned, and more than 100 people died. Virtual Planet’s Wildfire Explorer is a 360° immersive experience that shares the story of the most destructive and deadly fire in California’s history, as well as various strategies to reduce fire risks to woodland communities in the future. The Camp Fire will be remembered for destroying a beautiful California community, but that memory is already evolving into a story of innovation, strength, and resilience. We hope this virtual reality experience provides you with new insights on wildfire safety, and the urgent need to reduce fire risks in a warming climate.

  • Official Selection: Curta BrasĂ­lia, short-film festival.
  • Featured at the Wall Street Journal Live Tech 2020.

Additional Details

ArborXR Demo Available: No

Trial Period Offered: Yes

Regions Supported: North America, South America, APAC, EMEA, LATAM 

Notable Milestones / Awards:

  • Our VR experience “The Sea is Coming” was a finalist for AWE’s 2023 XR prize challenge: Fight Climate Change.
  • Our founder has been featured at various prominent media events, including a presentation at the Tech Live event hosted by the Wall Street Journal, a feature piece on NPR’s morning edition, and mentions at Forbes, The Hill, and multiple local media.

Type of Developer: AR, VR

Type of Content: Custom, Off-the-Shelf

Device Support: HTC, Oculus / Meta, PICO, Magic Leap

Industries: EDU (Higher-Ed), EDU (K-12), Government

Established: 2018
Headquarters: USA

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