TAXPAYERS are forking out £44,000 on a project to create a virtual reality sea creature for stressed-out office staff.
The cash went to tech bosses who say their program is more calming than morphine.
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Government quango Innovate UK awarded the grant to London-based company Animorph to develop its Easel program.
Its headset allows office workers to relax by immersing themselves in a simulated ocean floor setting where they can pet and feed a pretend sea creature.
The company says: “Easel reduces stress by transporting the player to a distant, safe, under- water world where they can foster a caring relationship with an other-worldly sea creature.”
“The player’s ability to move around freely and initiate rich interactions within the calming and audiovisually enchanting world provides a soothing sense of control.
“The player uses gaze and hand gestures to navigate the ocean, and interacts with their sea-animal companion in a variety of ways, including feeding, playing, and cleaning up their environment.
“VR has been documented as hugely beneficial, even surpassing the effectiveness of morphine for pain reduction.”
A further £50,000 has been given to another London outfit, Awen Emotions, for a similar idea to help stressed students.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance’s Conor Holohan said: “Taxpayers will ask why they’re funding this bizarre project.
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“With the long tentacles of the state taking ever more in tax, now more than ever precious funds should be used properly.
“Time for ministers to get a grip on spending.”
