360-degree video shows how a baby perceives the world

The online edition of the British daily newspaper The Guardian is exploring the possibilities of immersive journalism with a series of 360-degree videos. The latest video is called "First Impressions" and shows how a baby experiences the world in the first six months of life.

"Welcome to your first day." With a blurred vision, as is the way with newborns, the clip also begins. Everyone has been in this role at one time or another. But you couldn't really imagine it as an adult until now: How does a child experience the world he or she was born into only a few months ago? The Guardian's 360-degree production lets VR users experience a bit of what these beginnings might have looked like.

Based on scientific research, the video reconstructs how visual perception and thus the world takes shape in the six months of a child's life. At the beginning, the baby only sees contours, then it gradually recognises colours: first red and green, then yellow and blue hues. Finally, depth perception is added and the child can distinguish between parents, other children and objects.

To see First Impressions in its entirety, you have to download the in-house app "Guardian VR" for Google Daydream in the Google Play Store download.

Even more films

First Impressions is one of a total of six 360-degree videos that Guardian is producing in-house for Google's mobile VR platform Daydream. Already released are "Underworld", which explores London's sewers, "6×9", which simulates nine minutes of solitary confinement in a prison cell, and "Arctic 360", which shows the consequences of global warming using the example of the melting polar ice cap. More information and links to these productions can be found at here.

Slip into any role with VR

It is always amazing what you can experience in VR and even in a 360° clip. Users can slip into any role imaginable. We remember Notes on Blindnesswhere we are allowed to take the perspective of a man who is slowly going blind. Or also the Animal documentary from BBC Earth, where we can take on the role of a beetle, among other things.

Interaction is important

The video also makes clear how important social interactions are for the newborn. Charles Nelson, Harvard professor of paediatrics, accompanies the VR user through the film and tells what consequences neglect and the accompanying lack of external stimuli can have for the development of the brain. But that's exactly why it would be exciting if the film allowed interaction in VR.

Source: vrodo.de