The Timeless Tech initiative, organized by IEEE SB Amal Jyothi College of Engineering in collaboration with the IEEE Education Society Kerala Chapter aimed to provide the senior residents of St. John of God Old Age Home in Koratty, Kottayam, Kerala, with the opportunity to experience today’s technological advancements. During this one-day event, participants used AR and VR to virtually visit the 7 Wonders of the World, allowing them to explore these places without the physical demands of travel, which can be challenging due to age-related constraints. In addition to the VR experience, the event also focused on engaging with the seniors, providing them with an enjoyable and memorable time. Interactive sessions included conversations with the seniors and opportunities for them to showcase their cultural skills, such as singing.
The event began at 10 AM on 2nd June 2024 at St. John of God Old Age Home in Koratty, Kottayam. Maria Santhosh, WIE Chair of IEEE SB AJET, gave the welcome speech, followed by felicitation by Agi Joseph George, the branch counselor of IEEE SB AJET. After the inauguration, the volunteers briefly introduced AR and VR, demonstrating their use. Following this introduction, the seniors had the opportunity to experience AR and VR with the help of VR headsets. The 7 Wonders of the World were chosen for the VR demonstration, allowing participants to feel as though they were visiting these iconic locations, which brought them immense happiness and a sense of presence through VR technology. After each participant used the VR glasses, the participants were introduced to a video conference and taught about how it works and how to do a video conference. Afterwards, the event transitioned into an interactive session where participants demonstrated their cultural skills, followed by a group song performed by the volunteers. The feedback received from the participants was positive, with many expressing their gratitude for such an opportunity. The event concluded at 1 PM with a vote of thanks from Aji Sir and Maria Santhosh.