A new exhibit, "Smart Ambience Therapy" or "SAT" was launched in Life Sciences Hall on the ground floor of the Science Museum. The SAT, developed by a team of researchers at the AIMtech Centre of City University of Hong Kong and their collaborating partners from the Hong Kong Association of Art Therapists, is a pioneering application of interactive media and virtual reality technology in art therapy, particularly for psychotherapy of children who have been physically or emotionally abused.

The SAT system interacts with children by responding to their motions without requiring them to wear any sensor or special clothes. It captures and translates children's body motions and gestures into visual forms and movements. By wearing a pair of stereoscopic glasses, children can see 3-dimensional virtual objects and feel immersed in the environment. Children can also manipulate and interact with the virtual objects therein.

Based upon traditional art therapy, the treatment protocol developed for SAT consists of four phases in which children would participate in a number of interactive games in each phase. The treatment starts with some warm-up games which help build rapport with the children. Through some other games, the therapists would encourage the children to overcome their fear, anger and anxiety, and subsequently to build self-confidence. In the final consolidating games, children would be reassured of their positive feelings about themselves and their future.

If you would like to gain a personal experience of the Smart Ambience Therapy, come and try out some of the interactive games in the Science Museum.

The SAT exhibit is sponsored by the City University of Hong Kong.

Some of the SAT games:
Ribbon Dancing
Little Brick Out
Magic Bouncing Balls
Paint Splash