Frank Kolkman's VR death machine
To tackle “death anxiety” among terminally ill hospital patients, designer Frank Kolkman has created a device that simulates a near-death experience using virtual reality. Visitors to Dutch Design Week were invited to try out the experimental device, which explores how new computer technologies can address psychological issues, such as fear of mortality. The out-of-body experience simulated by the “Outrospectre” could provide therapy for dying people, by gently acclimatising them to the sensation of death. Kolkman's device relies on video footage of the real
