UNS – The academic member of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta created an Augmented Reality (AR) application named ‘CadaVAR Neuro’ to support nervous system anatomy course materials. The innovation of AR application was initiated directly by Nanang Wiyono, dr, M.Kes from Anatomy Laboratory Faculty of Medical Science (FK) UNS.
The name CadaVAR Neuro comes from the word cadaver which means learning media for an anatomy course and VAR which means Virtual and Augmented Reality.
When asked about the background of the production of the AR application, dr. Nanang stated that CadaVAR Neuro was designed to assist students to learn the nervous system anatomy without conducting the learning process in the laboratory.
“Amid Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic which requires students to study from home (SfH) an innovation is needed by the teachers and students to ensure that the learning process goes well. Therefore, we try to apply the AR technology to assist students in learning anatomy because AR technology can visualize anatomical models as they are, three dimensional, and in detail,” dr. Nanang stated when contacted through short message application by uns.ac.id, Friday (3/4/2020).
Further, dr. Nanang told the beginning of CadaVAR Neuro app is designed. He said that the idea to create this application has existed since several months ago. In the process, he did not work alone, he was helped by his two colleagues, Hendry Gunawan, dr, SpN from RSUD Waled Cirebon and Penggalih M. Herlambang, dr, M.Kom who are the practitioners of health informatics from Semarang.
“(I have) The idea to create this application since 2 months ago, we keep discussing online because we are in Solo, Cirebon, and Semarang. We identify the needs and resources. The preparation of the prototype took around one month. In fact, we wanted to launch this application during the UNS Anniversary exhibition. We have prepared an event in the Faculty of Medical Science (FK) but in the night of the launching day, the extraordinary event (KLB) of COVID-19 in Solo was announced,” he added.
He explained that the CadaVAR Neuro application will display a three-dimensional model of human nervous system anatomy in a smartphone/tablet that can be seen from various sides. The CadaVAR Neuro application also includes anatomical structure labels accompanied by narration, both text, and sound, so that users can learn them more easily juga. The AR technology also makes it possible to display the model in its real environment.
“The CadaVAR Neuro application will display model 3D of human nervous system anatomy which can be zoomed in and out, can be rotated so that users can view the organ from all point of views, it can show the layer of the brain so that (students) can see the outer and inner organs including the model of blood vessels. The reality also enable this model to be viewed on its real environment, for example, it can be used in laboratory, classroom, park, or anywhere,” explained dr. Nanang.
If there are students who want to experience different learning using CadaVAR Neuro, students can download the AR app in Google Play Store or they can visit the link (http://bit.ly/cadavarneuro) by paying Rp 24,000.
Closing the interview with uns.ac.id, dr. Nanang wished that the CadaVAR Neuro application designed with his colleagues can be accepted and bring benefits to students and society.
“We certainly expect that this application will continue to be developed and hopefully it is well accepted by users and society. Currently, we also made a board named MedisVAR, if there are interested investors, we will accept them to develop this application and others with open hands. Humas UNS/Yefta
