University creates MRI-themed escape room

The University of Oxford Neuroscience Department partnered with a production company to create an MRI-themed escape room. 

The unique and immersive experience begins with visitors being met with an urgent warning that an AI "evil brain” has begun to operate independently and with hostility, threatening to put the laboratory into lockdown. Visitors are cautioned that if they do not escape within an hour, the consequences will be dire.

In order to escape, visitors must complete a series of physical and mental tasks relative to MRI physics, image analysis and neuroscience. The experience also includes large Samsung panels that display real MR imaging and a soundscape that parallels actual brain activity. 

To create the room, the University of Oxford teamed up with LCI Productions and audio developers Pastporte.  

“Our team was able to create an environment that not only challenges players but also provides an educational insight into the workings of the brain through the use of MRI imaging projections and actual brain scans taken from labs,” Design Director Rob Paul told AV Magazine. 

The room is part of the University of Oxford’s push to increase engagement with the public to foster more curiosity and interest in scientific fields. 

“By combining the excitement of an escape room with the fascinating world of neuroscience, we have the opportunity to engage and educate individuals in a unique and immersive way,” explained Amy Howard, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher with the neuroscience department. “By immersing players in a world of brain teasers and puzzles, we can provide a fun and interactive way to explore the wonders of the mind and inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation for neuroscience.” 

To learn more about the MRI-themed experience, watch this video.