Virtual Reality Traps Users on a Crashing Plane, Terrifying Scenario Designed to Raise Safety Awareness

Featuring a simulation based on the “Miracle on the Hudson” incident, an Italian university has developed a virtual reality experience that could change the way passengers view in-flight safety videos

The University of Udine’s Human-Computer Interaction Lab has created a safety video that travelers won’t soon forget. Delivered via the Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset, the simulation shows how passengers can survive an emergency water landing by following cabin safety procedures.

The content for the video was based on an actual event — the emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on 15 January 2009. In an incident which became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson“, the Airbus A320 was forced to land in the Hudson River after multiple bird strikes caused both of the plane’s engines to fail. Thanks to the procedures followed by the captain, the crew and all of the passengers on board, the incident resulted in no casualties.

The video created by the University of Udine — entitled “Emergency Water Landing VR” — begins with the passenger being welcomed onto the aircraft and finding their assigned seat. Once they are seated, a loud bang is heard and the plane rocks, descending rapidly. The cries and screams of passengers are audible, and text appears on the viewer’s screen explaining that their objective is to exit the aircraft unharmed by following safety procedures.

Inflating their life jacket, the passenger then quickly moves toward the emergency exit, where a member of the cabin crew directs them to safety via an evacuation slide. The scene that follows, however, serves as a warning. It shows the passenger attempting to grab their luggage from the overhead bin, delaying their exit from the plane. They are quickly overcome by the water rushing into the cabin. At this point, in the official YouTube clip, the individual participating in the demonstration removes his headset with a gasp.

Speaking on the efficacy of the video with Mail Online, Luca Chittaro, the head of the project, said, “It’s a personalized, experiential way of learning, more engaging than passively watching a video … Considering that ‘Emergency Water Landing VR’ is the world’s first prototype of an airliner water landing and evacuation experience, we are satisfied with the result.”

[Photo: HCI Lab Udine; Video: YouTube]