EIT Digital-backed VR platform lets NDD teens socialize virtually

Young people struggling with the isolation of neuro developmental disorders can practice their social skills and receive online therapy through XR4A, a virtual reality platform that is being developed with EIT Digital support.

Learning to socialize comfortably, a challenge for any teenager, can seem overwhelming for young people with neuro developmental disorders (NDD), which include conditions like autism, ADHD and other learning disabilities. The pandemic exacerbated the isolation faced by these children and made the demand for telemedicine and virtual solutions more urgent, although the need in this area existed long before COVID-19.

XR4A is being developed by a consortium of partners who were brought together by EIT Digital. Salvadori, a senior researcher at FBK whose son was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, is acting as project leader of this Innovation Activity. As a parent advocate who watched the pandemic increasing his son's isolation, he saw the need to create a telemedicine solution for children with NDD. EIT Digital made that possible.

"Without EIT Digital, XR4A would be only an idea, and its consortium wouldn't have proceeded with the development of a VR-based serious game that is so impactful to NDD teens, their therapists and their families," Salvadori said. "EIT Digital has been a catalyst for the XR4A project in terms of funding, experience, and networking opportunities."

EIT Digital interim CEO Federico Menna emphasizes that "XR4A is a perfect example of what innovation means for EIT Digital: connecting players from academia, research and industry across Europe, developing new digital solutions addressing societal challenges and supporting their go-to-market efforts through venture creation and scaling. All this by bringing European values into technology and achieving social and economic impact at European level. We are very proud of what the XR4A team is doing for young people and their families!"

The XR4A partners united in an EIT Digital Innovation Factory project are using EIT Digital support to improve the minimum viable product they have developed and to achieve clinical assessment of XR4A through experimental pilots in Italy and Greece. The platform will be then commercialised by the startup "MEEVA", a spin-off of Fondazione Bruno Kessler that will use the support to help launch a funding round that can bring in the investment needed for market access and product development. "By the end of the EIT Digital Innovation Factory project, the partners hope to see MEEVA growing and scaling up into a successful business," Salvadori said.

XR4A partners and MEEVA cofounders expect commercialisation to help them achieve their ultimate goal: "promoting better and more inclusive health for young European citizens with neuro developmental disorders to ensure they have a better life as adults," according to Salvadori. "This includes increased job opportunities and a more autonomous life."