vrCROPS: Developing Virtual Reality Tractor Safety Contents for A Smartphone-Based Interactive Agricultural Communication System (eCROPS)

The purpose of this project is to develop virtual reality tractor safety contents for eCROPS, a smartphone-based interactive agricultural communication system. eCROPS is a mobile communication tool for a comprehensive tractor safety curriculum designed for agricultural mechanics classes in high schools. eCROPS aims to educate students about safe farming and to reduce the number of tractor related injuries and fatalities through the installation of Cost-effective Roll Over Protective Structure (CROPS). Technically, eCROPS provides CROPS curriculum materials with user-friendly keyword search functions and several distinct communication methods, allowing users to share information online through text/picture- and video-based communication methods via either synchronous or asynchronous communication modes. The vrCROPS will be designed and developed as a service embedded in eCROPS to maximize its effectiveness in tractor safety education. Through immersive virtual reality experience, vrCROPS will enhance risk perception (severity and susceptibility) about tractor-related accidents and self-efficacy on tractor safety behaviors. This project will allow us to examine the potential of a virtual reality immersion system in agricultural safety education.