Virtual reality helps home-bound seniors enjoy the outdoors From: Palo Alto Weekly - 05/04/2014 By: Sue Dremann Bill Frye, 96, may be in a wheelchair, but on April 22, he was still rotating his bike pedals through the Balinese forest. As he pedaled faster, chickens darted from the underbrush across his path, and he felt the wind against his face. "It was magnificent," said Frye, who has not been able to ride a bike for some time. The trip to Bali - and the bike ride - actually took place within the confines of the Avenidas senior center in Palo Alto. It is part of a study by Stanford University engineering students to create outdoor virtual-reality experiences for seniors who are confined at home. The project lets seniors experience the virtual outdoors through a technology called SUSIE - Senior-User Soothing Immersive Experience. Changes in temperature, wind, sound, and light are synchronized with large-screen projections of simulated walks and bike rides through forests, beaches, nature reserves, suburban parks, and other pleasing environments. Read the entire article at: http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2014/05/04/virtual-reality-helps-home-bound-seniors-enjoy-the-outdoors