The NeuroExplorer project seeks to revolutionize biomedical and neuroscience research by developing a cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) and multimedia platform. This platform, created by The Way Association, will serve as a cutting-edge instrument to support and advance research in these essential fields.
To comprehend the complexity of the human brain and other biological systems, clinical and neuroscience research require sophisticated tools and methodologies. The NeuroExplorer project aims to address this need by providing a dynamic and interactive research platform that combines various forms of digital content, such as VR simulations, visualizations, auditory elements, and interactive questionnaires.

Researchers, scientists, and medical professionals will have access to a comprehensive suite of tools and resources that enable them to conduct experiments, analyze data, and collaborate globally. The platform will facilitate the creation of immersive environments for the controlled virtual study of brain functions, neural pathways, and experimentation. In addition, it will facilitate the collection of real-time data via interactive questionnaires, thereby enhancing the precision and depth of research results.

The project aims to eliminate the geographical and logistical obstacles that frequently impede research collaborations. NeuroExplorer will foster international collaboration and the exchange of ideas by providing a centralized hub for data sharing and analysis, thereby accelerating progress in the fields of biomedicine and neuroscience.

The NeuroExplorer platform currently operates as a server-based system and has been utilized successfully in clinical research. With the requested funding, we intend to migrate it to a cloud-based infrastructure, which will increase its accessibility and scalability. By making this change, we hope to increase the platform's utility within the biomedical research community as a whole. The cloud-based model will not only provide researchers with greater flexibility and accessibility, but it will also allow us to introduce new features and capabilities tailored to the biomedical research industry. This evolution of the platform will position it as a key instrument for advancing research in both clinical and biomedical domains, facilitating collaborative, data-rich investigations, and ultimately contributing to medical breakthroughs and better patient outcomes.

The primary audience for this proposal is likely familiar with existing virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree video tools, both proprietary and open source, commonly used in the field of rehabilitation and clinical medicine. Some well-known proprietary tools include Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR. Open-source solutions like Unity3D and Unreal Engine are also prevalent due to their versatility and extensive development community.

In comparison to these established tools, the NeuroExplorer platform aims to offer a unique and multiplatform open source solution by focusing specifically on 360-degree videos and their application in clinical medicine and neuromotor rehabilitation. While proprietary VR tools have a larger user base and broader usage in various industries, the focus of NeuroExplorer platform on 360-degree videos for rehabilitation purposes sets it apart. The proposal aims to address the limitations of existing tools, such as cost, ease of use, and availability of rehabilitative content. It is important to highlight that NeuroExplorer platform integrates interaction and integration that are exactly the same used in VR, making the 360-degrees videos able to perform the same navigation and interaction that is used in VR platform. Moreover, the NeuroExplorer platform is able to integrate clinical interviews directly in streaming and a full data repository for the collection of a huge number of clinical test and questionnaires.

In summary, while proprietary VR tools dominate in terms of user base and usage across diverse sectors, the NeuroExplorer platform distinguishes itself by focusing on 360-degree videos for targeted clinical applications and aims to complement existing tools by addressing specific rehabilitation needs and fostering collaborative research and development.