The city of Tshwane, in partnership with EON Reality, recently launched a R140 million Interactive Digital Centre (IDC) to invest in local Virtual Reality (VR) educational content creation. VR hardware is finally catching up with the software that has been available for years, making it accessible and affordable for the consumer. However, there is a global shortage of VR content. The newly launched Tshwane IDC aims to address this problem.

Virtual reality and augmented reality (AR) are usually spoken about in the mainstream in terms of gaming and entertainment. But the technology also provides an immersive and visceral way of learning and teaching. VR, or interactive 3D, does not require a student to speak or read a specific language. Instead of telling, it shows. Students are able to experience situations for themselves first-hand. The IDC is an initiative between the city of Tshwane and US-based software company EON Reality. Both parties contributed to an initial capital investment of over R140 million. The content and applications created by the centre will help with vocational skills transfer and improve local STEM education. The IDC has four sections: the first is the showroom where VR and AR solutions are on display; the second is the VR academy; the third is a content development studio; and the fourth (not yet built) is a 4D theatre. The centre will train 50 students each year free of charge in its VR academy. A prerequisite for the 11-month course is a qualification in multimedia, programming or graphic design, although the IDC will consider selftaught students with an understanding of 3D. Applications open each year is October. Right timeStudents will go on to either work in industry, start their own businesses or work for the IDC as a content creator. Some examples of the projects the centre is currently working on include showing forestry students how to use a chainsaw correctly, and helping medical students diagnose thyroid disease. The content development studio has space for 25 people, with the option to expand to 150 with future funding. The first five content creators have moved across from local VR company, the Naledi3d Factory. The Naledi3d Factory has been using EON Reality software for 17 years and was instrumental in bringing the centre to SA.