The free VR platform that cures public speaking fears, by University of Cambridge scientists

Are you fearful of public speaking?

A new virtual reality-based platform that eliminates the fear and helps turn users into skilled and confident public speakers has been launched by University of Cambridge scientist Dr Chris Macdonald.

Launched on World Speech Day (15 March), in which people are urged to embrace public speaking , the device is free to use for all. For those without a VR headset, it can be used with a smartphone and a simple device mount costing about £15. This transforms your phone into a functional VR headset and enables you to practice speaking in front of large audiences.

Lucy Cavendish College fellow Dr Macdonald, director of the Immersive Technology Lab, said: “In physical reality, a user might be practising a presentation alone in their bedroom but on the new virtual reality platform, they can experience the sensation of presenting to a wide range of increasingly challenging photorealistic audiences.”

Its effectiveness is increased by ‘overexposure therapy’ – the ability to practise repeatedly in extreme scenarios like huge stadiums. This is described as offering the psychological equivalent of running with weights or at high altitudes.

“Prior to a presentation, most students tend to practice on their own, in a highly-controlled environment – normally to an ‘audience’ of zero,” said Dr Macdonald. “As a result, it will feel like a significant ‘step up’ when they present to even a small group of people – and even a subtle audience gesture can throw them off.

“By contrast, students who use the VR platform can practice in a different venue every night to a wide range of highly distracting audiences and fear-inducing scenarios. They can, for example, practice in a stadium in front of 10,000 animated spectators, with loud noises, stadium lights, and flashing cameras. Accordingly, a subsequent presentation to a small group can feel like a significant ‘step down’. The data shows that this process not only increases confidence, adaptability, and resilience but also the enjoyment of public speaking.”

In trials, the platform has been clinically proven to increase levels of confidence significantly for most users after a single 30-minute session. In the most recent trial with students from Cambridge and UCL, a week of self-guided use proved beneficial to 100 per cent of participants.

More than 50,000 practice presentations were tried by remote beta users and stress tests of the technology were carried out at in-person events. A number of world firsts were achieved in its development, including a first-of-its-kind, dual-compatible VR player that means it is compatible with iOS and Android.

“The platform also provides more specialised environments and challenges, such as reading a teleprompter in a virtual TV studio or responding to questions in a job or radio interview,” added Dr Macdonald.

“To offer additional support on perfecting your scripts, I built and embedded an AI coach. And beyond the main platform that is freely available via a dedicated website, I have created licensing plans and an app for healthcare providers. I am also collaborating with organisations that seek to support specific groups such as children who stammer; the goal is to create more targeted treatment options for those who need it the most.”

The technology will also be showcased as part of the Cambridge Festival at the Student Services Centre on the New Museums Site off Bene’t Street, on 29 and 30 March.

Visit virtualrealitypublicspeaking.com to access the platform for free.