Marenostrum.VR, a new virtual reality experience available on Meta Quest
The application, developed by Sergio Cuervo and Marc P. Balsch, was created at X-Trudio LAB 3D, part of the ERAM University Centre of Arts, in collaboration with the University of Girona and the Salvador Sunyer i Aimeric Institute.
Marenostrum.VR is now officially available on the Meta Store, after successfully completing the platform’s approval process. The project offers an educational virtual reality experience focused on exploring and observing the marine fauna and flora of the Mediterranean.
An immersive experience to discover the Mediterranean
Marenostrum.VR allows users to immerse themselves in a virtual underwater environment and discover different species of marine fauna and flora through an immersive experience. The project combines 3D modelling and animation, real-time development and virtual reality to create an exploration environment designed for educational purposes.
The development was carried out mainly using Blender, which was used to model and animate the 3D elements, and Unreal Engine, which made it possible to create the environment in real time, work on the lighting and integrate the underwater scene.
Generative artificial intelligence tools were also incorporated throughout the creative process to support the project’s visual development.
ChatGPT / OpenAI was used to generate reference images of marine species and as a visual support tool during different stages of the process. Meanwhile, Meshy was used to generate and texture some 3D models based on reference images.
Marenostrum.VR was developed as part of DIVE into Learning: Inclusive STEAM Education through Low-Cost Underwater Robots, a three-year European Erasmus+ cooperation project.
Within this framework, the application forms part of a proposal that combines technology, education and exploration of the marine environment, with the aim of bringing underwater environments and content related to the Mediterranean closer to users through virtual reality.
Marenostrum.VR was conceived as a non-commercial educational virtual reality experience, focused on exploring and observing the marine fauna and flora of the Mediterranean.
Following the entire process of conceptualisation, modelling, development and testing, the application can now be downloaded from the Meta Store and experienced on Meta Quest devices.
The project also represents the outcome of a process that brings together digital creation, 3D development, virtual reality and education, making it possible to take a proposal developed within the ERAM environment to a virtual reality platform accessible to the public.
