Mixed reality simulator BlueRoom, created by Australian company Real Response, has won the most Innovative Project Award for 2023 at the Simulation Australia Awards in Adelaide.
The BlueRoom simulator uses mixed reality (MR) technology with the Varjo XR3 headset, to provide an interactive platform for medical practitioners. MR allows users to engage with the virtual realm using their own hands and physical movements, mirroring real-world interactions.
It was created by a company of medical professionals and software developers in St Kilda, Australia, and is now enabling ADF medics to practice using equipment and navigating medical scenarios within a virtual environment.
The award judges stated that "the innovative combination of mixed reality was judged as an outstanding solution for highly engaged learning. The efficiency in relation to cost, as well as the ability to develop fine motor skills is a great use of a novel technology."
Support for the development of the BlueRoom Simulator was provided by the Defence Innovation Hub, and it has since been further developed for use by the Royal Australian Air Force.
"This award validates the massive amount of investment and hard work our team have put into making the BlueRoom Simulator a reality. It's incredibly gratifying to be given this recognition by our peers in the simulation industry," said Dale Linegar, BlueRoom CTO.