I am Fariz Hanapiah, the founder of DerioXR. Our company specializes in creating immersive experiences for medical spaces, and our first product is called MRVR (Medical Rehabilitation in the Metaverse). MRVR utilizes virtual reality technology for medical rehabilitation, particularly for stroke patients.
My experience in the creative industry for the past 10 years has given me the skills and knowledge to create immersive AR/VR experiences for various brands and corporate clients. However, I wanted to use this technology to directly impact people’s lives, and that’s when I got connected with the research team at UiTM Faculty of Medicine.
We discovered that the current method of using off-the-shelf games for medical rehab was not as efficient, so we developed VR modules that could be tailored to each patient’s needs. With MRVR, we aim to bring treatment to patients who are immobile, living far from hospitals, or lacking transport options to get to their appointments.
The first time we witnessed a stroke patient using MRVR was a memorable experience. We saw first-hand the patient’s progress and motivation to get better. Our gamified modules not only provided treatment but also entertainment, and his motivation to get better was truly inspiring.
However, we still face challenges during the patient testing phase. We need a significant number of patients to test MRVR to show how it benefits patients as a whole. Currently, we have Hospital Al Sultan and a few other hospitals interested in being our test-bed partners under the NTIS Sandbox programme.
Understanding the medical business landscape is crucial for our company’s growth, and we always strive to provide value to our target audience. Our goal is to create something that has demand and is scalable, and that’s why we focus on the needs of our patients.
My motto is “Whatever Works,” which also happens to be the name of my wife’s cafe in Dato Keramat. It’s essential to create something of value for others, which means that our work has demand and is scalable. As long as we follow the law and don’t hurt anyone, we should be fine.
Through my journey with the company, I have learned to listen better and work on my patience. However, my parents remain my inspiration and have always challenged me to do my best.
My greatest wish is for DerioXR to become sustainable and scale worldwide. I want our company to be remembered as the one that helps people live better lives through immersive experiences.