Rikei Corporation (headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Satoru Isaka; hereinafter “Rikei”) has announced the development and provision of Walking-Type Evacuation Experience VR using the walking VR device “KAT WALK” by KATVR Corporation, for which EG Corporation (headquarters: Matsuyama-shi, Ehime; CEO: Shoki Yanazawa) is the exclusive agent in Japan. The VR simulation can be experienced at the HTC VIVE VR Experience Area at the place called “REDEE”.

Product overview

The “Walking-Type Evacuation Experience VR” is the content that combines the walking VR device “KAT WALK” with Evacuation Experience VR Series, which is about escaping from a fire within a building within a limited time.

The site of the fire requires appropriate evacuation behavior, such as making quick decisions and staying low to avoid inhaling smoke. Since it is difficult to experience a disaster in person, it is effective to acquire correct knowledge and to raise awareness of disaster prevention by experiencing it in a virtual reality beforehand.

Safety training for disasters and other situations are conducted in a variety of occupations, including local government, educational organizations, fire brigades, and companies, with the introduction of VR for training purposes being discussed.

Instead of using controllers to navigate as before, in a VR space, you can actually walk while evacuating, making the experience more realistic. There have been issues with walking-type content, such as preventing people from falling down and requiring a certain amount of space, but these issues have been overcome by using “KAT WALK”.

Features and key points

• Makes it possible to move around freely with your own legs in a 360-degree VR space
• Compatible with all major computer VR systems
• Possible to freely change the underfoot environment (with socks, leather shoes, boots, etc.)
• Uses the latest in shock-absorbent surfaces to protect participants’ knees for long periods of time. (CE safety certification acquired)
• Advanced contactless sensor technology enables accurate foot tracking, independent head-body movement and low latency
• Supports various body types (Height 140-195 cm, weight up to 130 kg)
• Can be used with package contents (flood disaster and earthquake simulations, etc.) developed by Rikei.

About “REDEE”

“REDEE” is one of the Japan’s largest digital education facilities, created for the purpose of teaching a wide range of knowledge and skills, such as digital technologies, through game experiences. It opened in Suita City, Osaka in 2020 and is managed by Redhorse Corporation.

In recent years, STEM education (* 1), which aims to develop human resources who can contribute to the development of science and technology, and the GIGA School Program (* 2), which aims to improve the ICT environment in school education, have been promoted. In addition, there is a growing need to acquire ICT skills, with programming becoming compulsory in elementary schools from fiscal 2020.

“REDEE” is garnering huge interest from various media outlets as a facility where anyone can learn and enjoy cutting-edge technology in a fun and carefree manner. It is also used for company training as well as extracurricular learning for school staff and school trips, being used by a variety of people in many sectors.

*1 STEM education: Education policy that aims to train human resources who can work in Japan and abroad by contributing to scientific and technological development through comprehensive learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

*2 GIGA (Global and Innovation Gateway for All) School Program: the MEXT initiative to provide a computer and a high-speed network for each student nationwide.

Background behind the introduction

“REDEE” is considering the introduction of content that enables safety education in the field of disaster prevention, and the “Evacuation Experience VR Series,” which has expertise in VR specialized in the field of disaster prevention and has been introduced in many local governments, was highly evaluated. The solution provided by Rikei has been praised for enabling people to experience evacuation by walking in a VR space with their own feet when moving in a space.

Future development

Having “REDEE” visitors with hands-on experiences this solution will contribute to safety education in many occupations, such as local governments, fire brigades, and companies. We will also sell and deploy solutions that combine “KAT WALK” with Rikei’s VR solutions, such as for flood disasters and earthquakes.

About HTC VIVE®

HTC VIVE® is the ultimate VR platform and ecosystem for providing companies and consumers with true VR experiences. The VIVE ecosystem is built around premium VR hardware, software, and contents. The VIVE business includes top-class XR hardware, the VIVEPORT platform, and an app store. There is VIVE Enterprise Solutions for business customers, the business accelerator VIVE X, VIVE STUDIOS, entertainment, games, an enterprise contents studio, and the cultural initiative VIVE ARTS.
For more details about VIVE：https://www.vive.com/jp/.
Twitter：https://twitter.com/htcvivejapan

About EG Corporation

Since 2019, as the exclusive distributor for KATVR in Japan, we have been providing “KATVR solutions” to various businesses through devices that allow “people to freely walk in VR spaces with their feet”.
In October 2021, EG Corporation was established to handle not only conventional tasks related to being an exclusive distributor (Sales and Maintenance) but also the production of original content. The aim is to develop VRe sports that involves walking with your own feet to support the revitalization of various business through KATVR, including amusement, industry, and fitness.

About Rikei Corporation

Since its establishment in 1957 as a solution vendor in the IT and electronics industries, Rikei Corporation has provided a variety of solutions ranging from systems to networks, VR/AR contents, electronic materials and electronic devices.

Rikei proposes solutions that utilize cutting-edge technologies and advanced products from Japan and overseas, and contributes to business development such as improving efficiency of operations and profits of customers.

*Product and company names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.