Advanced Haptics Development to Support Medical Simulated Training Environments

Duplicating the spectrum of the psychomotor sensory experience of tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) on the battlefield is not achievable within extended reality (xR) training solutions using current haptic devices, as no device or technology today can come close to meeting the perceptual sensitivity of the human haptic system. A clear alternative to haptic device technologies is synthetic tissue. Design Interactive, Inc. (DI) in partnership with SynDaver Labs propose Optimus, an augmented reality (AR) training solution paired with a retrofitted Rescue Randy manikin using a haptics kit (synthetic tissue inserts) to provide realistic, hands-on training to novices with limited medical experience. The phase I prototype was demonstrated through integration of DI’s AugMedTM software and SynDaver’s synthetic human with significant positive response from the military medical community. The proposed phase II effort will include full design, development, and integration of the Optimus system, usability and training effectiveness evaluations, and stakeholder demonstrations. The approach will result in a fielded, cost effective AR training solution for TCCC across All Service Members (ASM) that affords appropriate muscle memory development using realistic haptics training.