It’s no secret that the healthcare industry has been using AR in operating rooms, medical education and other areas. But now, AR is being used to educate and entertain young children that involves teaching them good health practices through next generation apps.
Stayhealthy, Inc., is a company which boasts a team that includes Governor Tommy Thompson, former Department of Health & Human Services Secretary, now Chairman of Stayhealthy; Dr. Colin Hill, PhD. Biochemistry and Radiation Biology and emeritus Professor of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Immunology and Microbiology at USC; John Collins, CEO of Stayhealthy, Inc.; John Demoleas, Associate Director Development and External Affairs Staten Island University Hospitals Northwell Health and Executive Director Staten Island University Hospital Foundation–and others who regard health as the most critical problem faced by the U.S. today and share a passion to make “America healthier.”
The company has spent the last twenty years aggressively pursuing science-based research to define the best way to use advanced technologies to give people a better understanding of their own personal healthcare. With a new generation of apps that revolutionize how health and wellness is viewed and experienced—from children to adults—the company is now using augmented reality in apps that are very different from any other mobile experience. Using the power of AR, advanced research and statistics, and with a focus on entertainment and education, Stayhealthy, Inc. is on the cutting-edge of breakthrough, immersive experiences for individuals—starting with children.
The company recently acquired Augmently, Inc., a leading augmented realism creative agency in March.
Based on years of studies, Stayhealthy, Inc. has launched a dynamic new mobile experience for children called Color Quest: an Art Adventure – an AR driven app. The app is designed to engage kids through experiential landscapes, activities, and interactive steps that get them involved in understanding their own bodies in a fun and educational way. Through its use of AR, Color Quest delivers characters and interactions that draw children into a game-like setting without prompting them they are, in fact, learning about their own health in addition to playing. This is the first of a suite of personalized AR healthcare apps to be introduced by the company in 2019.
The question here is how does AR affect a child’s ability to understand their own health? Stayhealthy is betting that creating a more compelling learning experience for children will lead to a decrease in the growing child obesity epidemic that has been sweeping the country for years.
Color Quest provides children a great way of staying healthy and one that never existed before. Animated characters that include fruits, vegetables, and bodily organs (such as oranges, carrots and heart), entertain while educating as a child works through all the engaging activities and coloring experiences. Once colored on a mobile device, the Color Quest characters are activated through augmented reality technology (AR).
For example, a child can color a heart which will lead to a visual and audio prompt with facts about how the heart actually works. The character can then be placed in a real-world environment anywhere the child chooses. As the character comes to life in the actual colors used by the child, it creates a personal experience for the child – supported by audio –and not offered by any other app on the market. The inevitable result is an entertaining experience that drives the child’s desire to want to learn more. The app leaves the child with life-long learnings and understanding that lead to healthier living as they grow into adults.
The company’s current innovation in healthcare screening is founded on its expanding use of the mobile platform to screen for excess body fat and other conditions. This spring, Stayhealthy is introducing its underlying patented BFI (Body Fact Index) technology, which represents a highly accurate alternative and challenge to BMI. Unlike BMI which is noted for its inaccuracy, the BFI is up to 98 percent accurate. The company’s patented augmented reality technology is incorporated into this soon-to-be released app and offers the additional advantage of not requiring any wearables.
The BFI app is a game changer that is destined to play a pivotal role in giving consumers an all-inclusive experience in managing their own health, measuring excess body fat, and creating a healthier lifestyle.
The Stayhealthy team is dedicated to changing that current trend with its continued focus on personalized technology that supports better health and wellness.