Yongsan-gu Childcare Administration Goes Smart!...Nation's First Mixed Reality (MR) Daycare Autumn Sports Day Held

Yongsan-gu to Hold Online Autumn Sports Day for Daycare Centers from 9th to 13th... Partnership with KT to Realize 'Smart Childcare Administration' Using Latest MR Technology for Virtual Daycare Sports Day... MR Experience Zone to Operate for 2 Years After Event

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seongjanghyun) will hold an online autumn sports day for daycare centers over five days from the 9th to the 13th, utilizing the latest Mixed Reality (MR) technology.

The purpose is to increase children's physical activity and provide the future generation with early experiences of new technologies in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Mixed Reality literally refers to a state where reality and virtuality are mixed, combining Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to create a 'virtual world within reality.'

To establish a 'smart childcare administration' foundation suitable for the post-COVID-19 era, the district requested advanced technology support from KT (CEO Koo Hyun-mo). In response, KT agreed, and the district will serve as the operator assisting in developing programs for infants and toddlers, while KT will provide related technology, with mutual cooperation planned for the next two years.

As the first step, last month the district and KT signed a contract for the free installation of 'Real Cube,' and on the 5th and 6th, they created the 'KT Real Cube Experience Zone' on the 10th floor Kids Zone of Yongsan District Office and the 2nd floor Childcare Support Center of Yongsan Dream Tree Complex.

Composed of a computer, sensors, beam projector, and speakers, the Real Cube is an MR program operating device that helps users engage in physical and learning activities by moving between reality and virtuality through games. Data stored on the server allows real-time monitoring of children's developmental status.

The sports day events include five games: 'Land Runner,' 'Protect the Earth,' 'Bubble Ocean,' 'Running Letters,' and 'Code Decoding.' Twenty daycare centers in the area participate, each sending 16 representatives to compete in league matches by event. The overall ranking of daycare centers is determined by the combined scores of the five events.

A district official said, "Considering the COVID-19 situation, the number of participants has been minimized, and each daycare center will hold matches at different locations and times," adding, "Competitions through networks are also possible."

After the event, the district will continue to operate the MR Experience Zone in collaboration with KT to enhance physical and cognitive abilities of infants and toddlers and to develop programs. The Experience Zone is available to public, private, and home daycare centers in the area, and considering the COVID-19 situation, the target will be expanded to include children in home care.

The Experience Zone operates Monday to Friday (Tuesday to Sunday for the Dream Tree Complex) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations must be made in advance through the Yongsan District Office Women's and Family Division. The service is free of charge.

Seongjanghyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "We are presenting smart childcare administration to prevent the decline of children's physical and learning abilities in the post-COVID-19 era," and added, "The district will continue to do its best for the future of children."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.