Hyun-woo's Vision and Career Path
Hyun-woo’ is leading a transformation in healthcare through cutting-edge XR solutions. During GRACE, Hyun-woo’ developed an immersive VR exergame to support physical therapy for prosthetic users, blending clinical insight with XR expertise. Now working at a leading health-tech company, Hyun-woo’ creates innovative applications that enhance patient rehabilitation and well-being. The GRACE programme provided the practical skills and industry connections to succeed in this impactful career path.
Hyun-woo's Values
Hyun-woo’s work and life are guided by a commitment to shared human values.
- Empathy and care are at the heart of Hyun-woo’s approach, with a belief that technology should always serve people and improve lives.
- A strong focus on innovation for good drives Hyun-woo to create sustainable and inclusive solutions, bridging gaps in healthcare access.
- Collaboration is key to Hyun-woo’s success. Building strong connections with peers, researchers, and professionals has been essential in tackling complex challenges.
Hyun-woo's Role Model
Hyun-woo finds inspiration in trailblazers who combine technology with a vision for social good. Grace Hopper, a pioneer in computer science, is a key influence. Her groundbreaking contributions and her dedication to inclusivity in technology resonate deeply with Hyun-woo’s values.
Hyun-woo's Journey Through GRACE
Location: St. Pölten UAS, Austria
Focus: Establishing the foundation and preparing a project proposal
- Path to Reality: Expose
Hyun-woo selects a project topic, focusing on creating an XR application for prosthetic rehabilitation. A cooperation agreement with an industry mentor is established, a risk assessment is completed, and measurable goals for the project are defined. - Design & Innovation
The Innovation & Creative Problem Solving course provides tools to apply design thinking, defining an approach and fostering innovative therapeutic solutions. - Didactics and Gamification
Through the Augmented and Virtual Reality in Health, Industry, and Education course, Hyun-woo gains insights into XR applications across various fields, including healthcare. - Development and Implementation
Sessions in Applied Artificial Intelligence introduce basic AI techniques that enhance the XR application, such as adaptive therapy modules. - Evaluation and Dissemination
The Bootcamp introduces the European Entrepreneurial Competence Framework (EntreComp), aligning project goals with real-world needs and sustainable development objectives.
Deliverables:
- A detailed project expose outlining the purpose, objectives, and initial concept of the XR application.
- A research-based “state of the art” report on XR therapy solutions.
- Presentations to lecturers, peers, and the industry mentor for feedback.
Support:
- Regular check-ins with the study coach (both online and in-person) to refine project focus and address challenges.
- Scheduled meetings (minimum of three) with the industry mentor to discuss project goals, feasibility, and alignment with industry standards.
Location: Saxion UAS, The Netherlands
Focus: Building and testing an initial prototype
- Path to Reality: Low-Fidelity Prototype
A basic XR prototype is developed, integrating initial features for therapy exercises. Simulated patient scenarios are used to test the prototype, gathering feedback to refine the approach. - Design & Innovation
The Design & Implementation of XR Learning Experiences course equips students with tools to create user-friendly, immersive therapy environments. - Didactics and Gamification
The Principles of Gamification Design course supports the integration of engaging game mechanics into the prototype, motivating patient participation. - Development and Implementation
Practical sessions in Prototype Development provide the technical skills to transform conceptual designs into functional prototypes. - Evaluation and Dissemination
Systematic documentation and evaluation of user feedback ensure the prototype aligns with therapeutic goals.
Deliverables:
- A low-fidelity prototype tested with simulated users.
- A detailed UX test report with two feedback iterations.
- Presentations to lecturers, peers, and the industry mentor, highlighting progress and challenges.
Support:
- Continued guidance from the study coach, offering support in balancing project work and academic responsibilities.
- At least three meetings with the industry mentor to review prototype progress, gather feedback, and address practical implementation challenges.
Location: Vidzeme UAS, Latvia
Focus: Refining the prototype into a high-fidelity, market-ready solution
Path to Reality: High-Fidelity Prototype
Hyun-woo refines the low-fidelity prototype into a polished, high-fidelity solution. Collaboration with the industry mentor ensures compliance with healthcare standards and readiness for real-world applications.Design & Innovation
Participation in a Hackathon offers opportunities to test and refine the prototype through rapid feedback from diverse stakeholders.Didactics and Gamification
Advanced courses such as Usability Testing and Evaluation and UX/UI Design for XR help improve the prototype’s usability and engagement for healthcare users, incorporating user-centred design principles.Development and Implementation
Technical courses such as Advanced XR Development and Interactive Systems Design focus on integrating complex functionality into the high-fidelity prototype, enhancing user experience and ensuring robustness.Evaluation and Dissemination
Hyun-woo documents findings from prototype testing in healthcare environments and explores ways to effectively present these results to stakeholders and peers.
Deliverables:
- A fully functional high-fidelity prototype tested in a healthcare setting.
- A presentation to lecturers, peers, and the industry mentor, showcasing usability data and scalability plans.
- A collaboration report detailing interactions with the industry mentor and healthcare partners.
Support:
- Study coach sessions to ensure alignment of goals and provide feedback on high-fidelity prototype development.
- Regular mentor meetings (at least three) to discuss usability testing, compliance with healthcare standards, and prototype refinement.
Location: Client Organisation or Healthcare Setting
Focus: Final testing, data collection, and thesis completion
- Path to Reality: Implementation and Evaluation
Large-scale testing of the XR application is conducted in a real-world healthcare environment, collecting data on usability, impact, and therapeutic effectiveness. - Design & Innovation
Workshops on innovation management support the identification of future opportunities for the solution’s development. - Didactics and Gamification
Feedback from real-world testing is used to refine gamification elements, maximising patient engagement. - Development and Implementation
Technical sessions ensure the final product is robust and ready for deployment. - Evaluation and Dissemination
A final thesis is completed, documenting the project’s outcomes and reflecting on personal growth as a healthcare innovator.
Deliverables:
- A comprehensive thesis and presentation on the XR solution.
- A final product tested and ready for market adoption.
- Participation in a final exhibition, showcasing the work to lecturers, peers, and external stakeholders.
Support:
- Final review sessions with the study coach to prepare for thesis defence and post-programme plans.
- Scheduled mentor meetings (minimum of three) during testing and data collection phases to ensure the project meets practical, industry-relevant objectives.
The GRACE programme was pivotal in shaping Hyun-woo’s career.
- Advanced practical skills in XR development and gamification, tailored for healthcare, were a highlight of the programme.
- Opportunities to network with industry leaders, research institutions, and entrepreneurs created strong foundations for future collaborations.
- Entrepreneurial thinking was nurtured, equipping Hyun-woo with the ability to evaluate and implement innovative ideas, whether at a start-up, a large corporation, or as an entrepreneur.
The Road Ahead
Hyun-woo now faces exciting career choices.
One option is a role at a start-up in Latvia, offering flexibility and the chance to shape innovative ideas from the ground up. Another opportunity lies with a market-leading German company that provides stability, resources, and clear career progression. Hyun-woo is also considering launching a personal venture, applying GRACE’s entrepreneurial framework to develop impactful healthcare solutions for underserved communities.
Whatever the choice, Hyun-woo’s commitment to transforming healthcare through technology remains unwavering.
