Virtual Reality and Coffee Production: A Case Study and Prototype for a Dreamscape Learn Proposal

This Barrett, The Honors College creative project presents a case study and virtual reality prototype that will serve as the foundation for a Dreamscape Learn proposal. Dreamscape Learn is an enterprise developed by Dreamscape Immersive and Arizona State University (ASU). Dreamscape Learn develops virtual reality simulations that come to life using virtual reality headsets, joysticks, and other technology to create engaging educational environments. These virtual reality simulations augment and enhance classroom learning, and are currently being developed and adopted for a variety of majors and academic programs across ASU. The case study discusses the potential use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for detecting invasive species in coffee production. The invasive species we focus on are coffee leaf rust, commonly referred to as roya, and coffee leaf rust. Both roya and coffee berry borer, are ravaging coffee farms worldwide, including major production regions in Africa, South America, Central America, Hawaii, and other regions where coffee is grown. The case study highlights agricultural issues currently facing the coffee industry and also discusses the emerging technology of UAVs for imaging in agriculture. The background information in the case study helps to motivate key elements that should be included in a virtual reality simulation. The information from the case study also helps condition learning objectives for the virtual reality simulation and possible classroom applications. This particular virtual reality project is versatile, and has educational relevance not only for agribusiness majors, but also those studying applied biological sciences, business, sustainability, aviation, engineering, and other majors at the ASU Polytechnic Campus.