DIPvr app, now on Google Play!

This app is a 360° VR app adapted by the DIPvr (Digital Integration Program) project of the skip Institute to learn more about everyday situations, culture, habits, rules and the system in Germany.

It offers different realistic scenarios in 360° and VR – ideal for those who are starting a new life in Germany or who want to learn more about the social system, cultural customs and the Basic Law. It can be played out "live", for example, how to redeem a prescription at the pharmacy, what to expect on the first day of work, what requires a trip in public transport, to register with the housing office and many other everyday situations that are continuously expanded. DIPvr also offers voice dialogues with real-time speech recognition. The menu and operation are also available in 7 different languages. All scenarios are shot in real life as a 360° film and are additionally supported with link icons. All films can be "experienced" on the smartphone by waving it around or putting it in a cardboard and viewing it as a VR experience. In addition, the app can be used completely immersively with VR headgear/glasses. The User can choose the different situations themselves and practice immersively in them. Within the scenario, the user has the opportunity to independently shape different processes by independently deciding the answer to the respective questions.

By using this app, an important contribution to integration is made to help people, especially those who have to start a new life in Germany after fleeing their homeland. The award-winning project was funded by the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia in agreement with the skip Institute for Applied Digital Visualization at the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Cologne.

In the previous test phase and as part of a study in NRW, the app was rated as "very good" by over 96% of the participants. For many refugees and immigrants, the opportunity to get to know different and everyday challenges in Germany in a protected and private way on their own smartphone or with VR glasses and to try them out uninhibitedly is a welcome change from the classic teaching opportunities. It serves as a supplement and is not a substitute for the state offer of municipal offices and well-known educational institutions.
The app can be downloaded and used accordingly via these facilities.