World first virtual reality train opens in Aussie aged care facility, where residents enjoy afternoon tea while touring 10 countries.

I can see why many dislike this, but for those that have limited (or no) mobility, I think this is something nice. Sure, it ain't the real thing, but if someone can't experience the real thing, at least this is something.

the care facility on the outside

Not gonna lie, this is one of the best uses of VR I’ve seen. Would you want something like this for your parents or grandparents? 👀

Letting elderly residents travel the world over afternoon tea through VR is one of the most thoughtful uses of technology I have seen.

If you can’t move the body, move the mind to keep the brain active and the mood up.

This is beautiful ❤️ Seeing their faces light up on that virtual journey is pure magic. Shoutout to the team at St Vincent's Care Toowoomba for bringing the world to residents who can't always travel physically. Moments like these remind us joy has no age limit ✨ @Purelypositiv #AgedCareInnovation

This is what they’re going to do to all of us when AI takes over.

Perspective is everything. Bring the world to those who can't chase it anymore. That's not sad; that's civilization doing its job.✨

Nothing to see here

This VR setup for older folks is pretty genius for mental health. A large study actually showed dancing reduces depression symptoms better than standard antidepressants

Solid concept for elderly care and memory care facilities for people that are confined or mobility limited. Memory care units will likely start using full room interaction for memory patients as all they do is sit for long periods and look outside as they lose memory and function.

Do people think they’re stupid because they’re older? This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. This looks nothing like an actual train

yeah idk fam something about this makes me feel weird

Grandma speedrunning world tour, no passport, just tea and vibes.

well that's actually pretty great, especially for the ones who can't actually travel anymore!

As an amusement ride, I think it's loaded with potential. But it reminds me of the scene in Soylent Green, when Edmund G Robinson chooses the music and visuals for his last hour on Planet Earth. So I kinda have a case of the heeby jeebies.

Looks like a fun novelty. Maybe I'll set up a screen on the wall to look like a window. Then I can pretend to be on a train or spaceship or mountaintop as I work.

If this was a US government run nursing home, these screens would cost 5million each.

If this was done with better screens and actual footage, I think it would be nice.

Why not have this in a real box car?

This is actually beautiful 🥹 Technology giving people the chance to travel the world again… would you try this?

A nice relaxing ride in the country until Russian hackers pull up Resident Evil in VR…

Makes me dizzy just watching the video? 👽

It’s not the world’s first virtual reality train ride.

I genuinely hate it. It would make me feel worse to know that I’m pretending a TV screen is the outside world.

I don't think this is a world first. Companies have been advertising setups like this for years. Here's a 2023 conference paper about 'train therapy' from Switzerland:

This is the kind of travel upgrade we all deserve. passport: optional, vibes: international.

A virtual train + afternoon tea + world tour?? 😭 Do you think this could become the future of elderly care?

So long as they’re not obligated to sit in front of a glaring screen of fakery if they don’t want to.

This is a great idea. If you don’t like this idea then don’t put your parents in a home!

Great use of AI / VR tech. They should invest in making the dining area into an actual traincar as well. People should enjoy their latter years.

Great idea! To the naysayers it is no different than watching TV.

I wish more retirement home would have this. Something so simple would bring so much joy to them. We are not forever young fam, not being able to move as you once did is a reality some of will face.

This is a lovely idea. I remember many years ago suggesting something similar and being told that technology would never be good enough.