Samsung Electronics, together with global healthcare company Abbott, has leveraged immersive extended reality (XR) using Galaxy XRto reimagine the blood donation experience.
“As the boundary between the physical and digital worlds continues to blur, blood donation no longer has to be a stressful experience,” said James Pak, VP of the Global Mobile B2B Team at Samsung Electronics. “Through this initiative, we hope to demonstrate how Galaxy XR can extend beyond entertainment and productivity to create lasting social value.”
“Samsung Galaxy XR, powered by Android XR, represents a significant advancement for our mixed reality blood donation program,” said Miguel Carrazza of the Transfusion Medicine division at Abbott. “It is well-suited for healthcare settings, allowing medical staff to monitor donors more easily while helping them stay naturally engaged.”
XR technology in blood donation
In an XR-powered blood donation campaign at Samsung Digital City in Suwon, Korea, early in June, Samsung employees experienced immersive meditation content as they donated blood.
Donors put on a Galaxy XR to enter a calming, Zen garden-inspired environment during blood donation. Gaze-based interaction (no controllers, nor hand gestures) allows them to plant virtual seeds that will bloom over three to five minutes, with the music of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra playing in the background.
“I try to donate blood at least once a year, but it can feel a little boring since you have to sit still,” said Geunwoo Park of the Networks Business at Samsung Electronics, who donated during the campaign. “Using Galaxy XR made it more enjoyable because there was something engaging to watch.”
“It was a unique experience to try Galaxy XR while donating blood,” said Gangsu Kim of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, making his 20th blood donation. “I found the interactive content especially fascinating because it responded to where I was looking.”
