Our event, Best in Medical, XR, AI , was a success, we had 1,300+ attendees throughout the event, and had a very highly engaged audience.
You can watch the recordings here and review the speakers/program here.
If you would like to participate in our future events, please email kris@thevrara.com
We had a fantastic online session with 40+ medical professionals on New Trends in VR Mental Health & Practical Apps hosted by Peter Oykhman with thought-leaders in VR mental health, featuring Dr Gwylim Roddick (CBT of Central & South Florida is a psychotherapy clinic), Dr. Lynn Panatonni (Turnpaugh Health), and PsyTechVR's co-founder Daniil Andreev . We explored cutting-edge developments in VR for mental health, discussing the latest research, practical applications, and future implications for therapy, wellness, and beyond. Learn more VR’s transformative potential for mental health, gain insights into innovative solutions at our Best in Medical, XR, AI (VRARA Healthcare Summit 2024) https://www.linkedin.com/events/7243305524149014528/comments
The meeting focused on the intersection of mental health and VR, highlighting its therapeutic applications. Peter Oykhman emphasized the critical role of mental health in healthcare and the potential of AI to enhance mental health solutions, while also addressing concerns about AI's effectiveness and safety. Dr. Lynn Panattoni discussed integrative approaches to treating anxiety and mood disorders, and Dr. Gwilym Roddick introduced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques for anxiety and PTSD. The use of SciTechVR in therapy was highlighted, showcasing its benefits for patients with anxiety and trauma, and the customization of VR experiences for phobia treatment was discussed. The integration of AI in creating personalized VR scenarios was noted, along with advancements in technology, including the introduction of lifelike avatars and augmented reality applications. Ethical considerations regarding AI representation and the role of technology in clinical observations were also addressed. The meeting concluded with discussions on product development insights and the value of networking within professional organizations.
1. Mental Health and Virtual Reality
Peter Oykhman highlights the importance of mental health in today's world, indicating that it is a significant part of healthcare. He also mentions that there is a need for more presentations on this topic, particularly in relation to virtual reality.
There are concerns regarding the use of AI in mental health, with some individuals being apprehensive about its effectiveness and safety. Peter Oykhman notes that Danielle will address these concerns during the presentation.
2. Use of Virtual Reality in Therapy
designed for mental health and wellness, incorporating modalities like EMDR and CBT, and addressing issues such as fears, phobias, and PTSD exposure therapy.
most of her patients are dealing with anxiety disorders or trauma, and she has started offering SciTech VR to everyone, observing positive responses within three sessions.
3. Virtual Reality Therapy for Phobias
clients who have never flown but have driven their families around the country, highlighting the extent of avoidance behaviors related to phobias.
expressed that some clients perceive CBT therapists as sadists due to the discomfort involved in confronting their fears, indicating a potential concern about client perceptions of therapy.
4. AI in Virtual Reality
Peter expresses concerns about the unpredictability of AI, especially in emotional support contexts, emphasizing the potential for harm if AI provides incorrect recommendations.
one company from has developed about 500 scenarios for VR, while another has around 200 scenarios, indicating the competitive landscape in VR content creation.
development of an AI that can customize exposure scenarios within 30 seconds, indicating a significant advancement in VR therapy applications.
5. AI in Therapeutic Settings
The AI technology discussed allows therapists to create personalized VR exposures in a matter of seconds, enhancing the therapeutic experience for clients with specific fears, such as phobias of dogs.
The next versions are planned to be released within the year, which will include options for therapists to create gradual exposures tailored to individual client needs.
6. Advancements in AI and VR Technology for Clinical Use
The time to create a new scenario has decreased from six months to just a couple of weeks, and with AI, it can now be done in 30 seconds.
The team is planning to release an update that includes a new 'Bully Avatar' backed by ChatGPT, which will allow for live conversations, expected in late November.
7. Introduction of Metahumans in VR Therapy
The team plans to start enabling the metahumans feature for all free trial users and subscribers beginning in December, enhancing the VR therapy experience with lifelike avatars.
The introduction of metahumans is set to begin in December, marking a significant development in the VR therapy field.
The initial idea was to use AI to create safe places for clients, allowing them to define their personal safe environments, which is a departure from predefined scenarios used by other systems.
8. Integration of Mindfulness in Patient Engagement
emphasizes that integrating mindfulness activities into therapy can significantly improve patient engagement and emotional processing, which is crucial for skill retention outside of sessions.
9. Augmented Reality in Therapy
Meta Quest 3 headset, priced at $299, which features advanced cameras for augmented reality, set to release mixed reality content in early 2025.
The team is planning to develop mixed reality content for various phobias and social anxieties, with a focus on practical applications in therapy settings, expected to be available in early 2025.
10. Addressing Social Anxieties Post-COVID
social anxieties have become increasingly common post-COVID, highlighting the need for effective training solutions.
The discussion includes exploring the use of AI to create personalized scenarios for training in public speaking and other social situations, indicating a proactive approach to addressing these anxieties.
11. Customization in PsyTechVR
emphasized that users like it allows for full customization in experiences, particularly in mindfulness and exposure scenarios.
12. Ethical Considerations in AI Representation
concerns about the ethical implications of making AI avatars more lifelike, stressing the importance of ensuring users understand these are not real people.
clarified that the responsibility lies with clinicians to decide how realistic they want their AI tools to be.
13. Use of Technology in Clinical Observations
The speakers discussed the importance of technology as an additional tool for doctors, highlighting its potential to enhance clinical observations without replacing the human element in healthcare.
Thank you Bianca Wright, for hosting, Inside Mental Health: Building Empathy With VR, during our weekly online sessions with 30+ professionals.
The meeting began with a focus on Anagram, a creative studio specializing in immersive experience design, discussing their projects and core questions. The team then delved into the Goliath VR experience, highlighting its impact on portraying schizophrenia accurately. They explored ADHD through the mixed reality experience Impulse and discussed creating immersive mental health training tools like Inside Mental Health. Storytelling's role in mental health training was emphasized, along with challenges faced by individuals with neurodiversity in the workplace. The team also discussed starting a business, virtual reality experiences for mental health support, and multilingual content availability. Next steps include finalizing platforms, expanding storytelling impact, and connecting with medical experts and communities. The meeting concluded with plans to connect on LinkedIn for further discussions on AI-related topics.
Topics & Highlights
1. Anagram - Immersive Experience Design
Anagram, mentioning their specialization in interactive storytelling, immersive experiences, and the founders' vision to push the documentary form into new areas.
various immersive experiences created by Anagram, highlighting projects like 'Dawn into the Dark,' 'The Palace of The Machines,' 'The Collider,' and 'Messages to a Posthuman Earth.'
2. Discussion about Goliath VR Experience
The team discussed the development and success of the Goliath VR experience, including its launch in 2021, the story of John's journey with schizophrenia, the positive impact of gaming on his life, the portrayal of psychosis, the awards won, and the project's global recognition.
3. Exploring ADHD through Mixed Reality
development of the mixed reality experience Impulse that explores living with ADHD and the challenges faced by individuals with the condition.
4. Creating Immersive Mental Health Training
Inside Mental Health, a project focused on creating immersive training tools for medical professionals to improve understanding and empathy in mental health care.
5. Use of Storytelling in Mental Health Training
importance of storytelling in mental health training, emphasizing the role of personal narratives in fostering empathy and compassion among participants, including medical professionals and students
The discussion included details about a pilot program at the University of West of England involving immersive mental health training for students, with plans to expand to other higher education providers and collaboration with the NHS.
insights into the structure of the mental health training session, highlighting the importance of onboarding, reflection sessions, and creating a safe space for participants to share their experiences.
6. Virtual Reality Experience Design and Reflection Sessions
The next steps involve finalizing the platform, launching it, conducting additional research, and looking into how experiences like Impulse can be complementary to existing tools for ADHD and other mental health issues.
7. Discussion on Impact of Storytelling on Real World
The next steps involve focusing on sharing stories related to ADHD, particularly Jon's story, to reach more people and make a real-world impact. Emphasis is on aligning with medical experts and communities before expanding to other areas like end-of-life care.
8. Challenges Faced by Individuals with Neurodiversity in Work
The concern raised was about the challenges faced by individuals with neurodiversity, such as ADHD and Asperger's, in the workplace, including communication difficulties, self-regulation issues, and productivity concerns. The importance of utilizing gamification and technology like AI, VR, and AR to support these individuals was discussed.
9. Challenges in Starting a Business
concerns about the challenges of needing immediate cash flow, marketing efforts, creating business proposals, and the complexities of B2B and B2C markets in starting a business.
10. Virtual Reality Experience and Mental Health Support
concerns about potential triggers and challenges in offering a VR experience for mental health support, emphasizing the need for thorough trigger warnings and reflection sessions to support users.
decisions made regarding the design of the onboarding process for the VR experience, including the inclusion of trigger warnings and reflection sessions to ensure a positive user experience.
importance of training support staff beyond doctors, such as receptionists and cleaning staff, in dealing with mental health issues, indicating a potential next step for the project.
Thank you Lucky Lance Gobindram for presenting to 30 doctors, nurses, healthcare medical professionals about "Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Transformative Power of VR, AR, and XR" during our weekly online sessions https://www.thevrara.com/industry-committees and Alicja Jaworska for hosting.
The conversation centered around the potential of spatial computing and extended reality in healthcare, with speakers highlighting successful implementations in medical education and pain therapy. Speakers emphasized the immersive nature of VR/AR/MR, which can enhance collaboration and learning, and provide personalized healthcare experiences. However, adoption rates are low due to a lack of education and understanding among decision-makers and employees. The importance of education and training for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to effectively utilize these technologies was also discussed. Additionally, HIPAA compliance in healthcare technology was addressed, with speakers emphasizing that it is solvable and manageable in the current ecosystem.
The meeting started with a focus on Spatial Technology in Healthcare, highlighting Pfizer's use of virtual reality for training programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to cost savings and efficiency. The impact of Virtual Reality (VR) technology in healthcare was discussed, emphasizing cost savings, improved training processes, and patient outcomes. Practical hands-on experience with spatial technology through VR applications for medical education was explored, showcasing enhanced learning and cost savings. The discussion also touched on how immersive spatial technology enhances engagement and introduces new paradigms in human-computer interaction. The implementation of virtual reality technology in healthcare for patient treatment and team-based care coordination was discussed, with a decision made to implement VR for in-home use. Concerns were raised about low adoption rates of VR and AR technology in organizations. The meeting concluded with sharing contact information for further communication.
Topics & Highlights
1. Spatial Technology in Healthcare
companies like Pfizer have saved millions by integrating spatial technology, providing efficiency and value.
Pfizer's use of virtual reality for training programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pfizer turned to VR to train its staff rapidly and effectively by simulating the manufacturing process in a risk-free, immersive environment.
2. Impact of VR in Healthcare
The discussion included various facts such as cost savings achieved by Pfizer, pain reduction percentages for patients, and the success rate of VR-trained surgical students.
The decision to explore the impact of VR technology in healthcare and the need to advance with technology for better outcomes.
3. Practical Hands-On Experience with Spatial Technology
Spatial technology offers practical hands-on experience that mirrors real-world scenarios, leading to more effective learning and memory retention.
Implementation of spatial technology can result in 10% savings in CapEx and OpEx costs for organizations.
4. Enhanced Engagement through Immersivenes
Immersive learning environments can significantly improve focus, understanding, and retention of information.
5. Spatial Computing and Human-Computer Interaction Paradigms
Spatial computing introduces new paradigms in human-computer interaction, enabling more intuitive, natural ways of engaging with digital content, moving beyond traditional methods like mouth clicks and keystrokes to gestures and movements mirroring real-life actions.
Discussion on a mixed reality workflow where practitioners use spatial computing to create treatment plans for patients, share them in real-time, and engage in practical learning, implementation, and execution.
Exploration of novel possibilities with spatial computing, unlocking new interactions, learning opportunities, and business potentials by reimagining what's possible in a digital world.
6. Virtual Reality Healthcare Solutions
Decision made to implement virtual reality technology for in-home use in healthcare to provide various benefits such as trauma relief, organic healing, and team-based treatment.
The concern raised about low adoption rates of VR and AR technology in organizations due to cost, perception, and slow adoption by enterprises.
7. Implementation of Technology in Healthcare
The discussion covers the implementation of technology in healthcare, including education for enterprises, creating a business case, cost and affordability at scale, and examples from Harvard MedTech and Allergan use case.
8. Enhanced Patient Engagement and Therapy
The discussion revolves around enhanced patient engagement and therapy in healthcare, emphasizing interactive XR modules, simplifying medical information, and personalized health care journeys.
9. Virtual Reality in Healthcare
application of mixed reality virtual reality technology in healthcare to enhance empathy and understanding among healthcare professionals for patients with vision issues.
concern about HIPAA compliance in the context of data storage and cloud computing, highlighting the importance of meeting HIPAA regulations in digital environments.
Please join us in welcoming Tess McKinney to our Healthcare Industry Committee!
Tess McKinney serves as the visionary leader behind XRenegades, a subsidiary of Firework Media Studio, LLC. Renowned as an industry-leading consulting studio, XRenegades specializes in Immersive Virtual, Augmented & Mixed Reality (XR), 360 Degree Tour Design, Technology Training, and VR/AR/XR Reselling, particularly tailored for the education and healthcare sectors. With an impressive two-decade tenure in the technology industry and a fervor for innovation, Tess has established herself as an expert in the field of immersive technology.
Her LinkedIn profile showcases a rich tapestry of connections that span industry leaders, innovators, and thought leaders in XR/VR/AR/AI, healthcare, and education. Tess leverages this extensive network to stay abreast of the latest trends, developments, and collaborative opportunities in these rapidly evolving domains. She is helping XR/AR/VR/AI businesses promote themselves through her vast connections. Tess has also pioneered a groundbreaking platform that meticulously lists VR/AR/XR companies in the healthcare industry. This platform streamlines the process for educational institutions and businesses to explore and adopt these cutting-edge technologies, accessible at XRenegades' website.
XRenegades boasts a track record of successfully guiding colleges and universities in the implementation of optimal immersive technologies for their students. Tess has collaborated with prestigious institutions such as The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Brazosport College, and the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Nursing. Currently, she is actively involved in building XR simulation labs and implementing XR solutions for students and faculty at the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Nursing and College of Dentistry.
Furthermore, XRenegades plays a pivotal role in connecting educators with leading companies in the immersive technology field, fostering partnerships with notable entities like VictoryXR, SimX VR, UP360, VRPatients, ArborXR, Cleanbox Technologies, MACE Virtual Labs, Merge, Bodyswaps-VR Soft Skills Training, Darley, Xennial Digital, Reulay, PixoXR, HTC, AscentXR, MAI-Bodymaps, InceptionXR, Healthysimulation.com, Kaleidoscope XR, Near-Life, CurioXR, PsyTech VR, VR-Lab, Facilitate, Learning Time VR, among others. Tess is also spearheading the development of an active shooter situational learning VR application for K-12+, scheduled for completion in Spring 2024 with the assistance of students from the University Of Nebraska at Lincoln Senior Design called XRSurvive.
Presently, Tess is engaging in consulting agreements with companies in the XR/AR/VR/AI industries, providing expertise and support for the training and implementation of innovative projects within the healthcare and education sectors.
Previously, Tess served as a full-time Instructional Technologist for the University of Nebraska Medical Center Global Center for Health Security. During her tenure, she demonstrated unwavering dedication to developing XR education and remote consultation services for small and rural healthcare facilities, aiding them in advancing their knowledge of Infection Prevention and Control Services in Sterile Processing. Tess recently concluded this role, leaving behind a legacy of impactful contributions in the realm of instructional technology for healthcare education.
Having contributed to the creation of commercialized virtual reality simulations (Rollover Ranch, Heart Health Escape Room, Nurse’s Escape) with a team from the University of Nebraska Medical Center- College of Nursing-Lincoln which are available on the XRenegades website.
Tess McKinney is actively involved in various professional groups, holding roles such as Committee Co-Chair for VRARA Healthcare, Board Member of Nebraska Distance Learning Association, Leader of "The Cool Kids Table," Co Leader/Outreach Coordinator for University of Nebraska: NeVRNER group, and Webmaster/Member with the College and Community Service Organization- Southeast Community College Chapter. Additionally, she serves as an Adjunct Technology Faculty at Southeast Community College-Nebraska.
For more information, visit XRenegades' website: https://xrenegades.com/
At XRenegades, technology evolves, and so do we. Hire a Renegade!
Doug Hohulin hosted our online session and had Dr. Harvey Castro MD give a presentation.
The meeting discussed the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Extended Reality (XR) in healthcare, emphasizing the benefits of combining AI for intelligence processes with XR for immersive visuals to enhance learning and potentially gamify experiences. The conversation also touched on the potential of AI to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce medical errors. Doug Hohulin shared insights on AI and XR integration in healthcare, focusing on responsible AI, automated connected vehicles, and healthcare solutions to reduce medical errors. The discussion also covered the impact of generative AI on efficiency gains, time savings, and its projected contribution to the world GDP in the next five years. Additionally, there was exploration on how AI can complement healthcare services, reduce clinician burnout, provide second opinions, and assist in patient care management. The meeting also delved into leveraging AI in healthcare for quality care, addressing the aging population, reducing deaths significantly, and helping in areas like traffic deaths and medical errors. Furthermore, the conversation included the use of AI in medical diagnosis, the role of AI in medicine, reinforced learning in healthcare, integration of augmented reality in healthcare, resistance to AI in medicine, integration of AI in medical practice, improving healthcare diagnosis and technology adoption, integration of AI in mental health care, and the integration of wearables and AI in healthcare. Lastly, there was a discussion on venture investing in healthcare technology startups, emphasizing the importance of domain knowledge, managing risks, dealing with regulatory bodies like the FDA, and the support needed for successful companies.
1. Integration of AI and XR in Healthcare
The discussion highlighted the benefits of combining AI and XR in healthcare to create a more immersive and effective learning experience, emphasizing the potential for gamification to enhance learning and exploration.
2. Impact of Generative AI on Efficiency and GDP
efficiency gains and time savings from using generative AI, citing examples from studies by Salesforce and Boston Consulting. Accenture's projection of generative AI's impact on world GDP was also mentioned.
Further discussion on the potential growth of generative AI usage, its impact on various sectors like healthcare, and the projection of a billion people using immersive devices in the metaverse.
3. Role of AI in Healthcare and Patient Treatment
potential of AI in healthcare, addressing issues like clinician burnout, patient treatment, second opinions, and AI's role in complementing healthcare services.
4. Utilizing AI in Healthcare for Quality Care and Wellness Improvement
potential of using AI in healthcare to improve quality care, reduce deaths significantly, and address challenges like traffic deaths and medical errors.
5. AI Applications in Medical Diagnosis
AI assisted in diagnosing Tethered Cord Syndrome after multiple misdiagnoses, highlighting the potential of AI in medical diagnosis.
6. Role of AI in Medicine
Discussion on the advancements in AI for medical applications, including predictive analytics and the transition from evidence-based medicine to intelligence-based medicine.
7. Reinforced Learning in Healthcare
importance of reinforced learning in healthcare, the need for specific language models, and the potential applications of bots and AI in personalized patient care.
Further discussion on medical training using VR technology for anatomy learning, procedures, and simulations in healthcare.
8. Integration of Augmented Reality in Healthcare
benefits of using AR glasses in healthcare, such as accessing patient data, visualizing medical images, educating patients, and enhancing workflow. He mentions the cost of the Apple Vision Pro and its impact on different healthcare departments.
experiences with AI technologies like ChatGPT-4 and its applications in healthcare, including diagnosing medical conditions, analyzing images, creating podcasts, and improving efficiency.
9. Integration of AI in Healthcare
concerns about the resistance from doctors towards adopting AI in healthcare due to fears of obsolescence, changes in processes, and compensation issues.
importance of gradual education and implementation of AI in healthcare to address doctors' concerns and ensure a positive reception, emphasizing the need for experts like himself to guide and educate healthcare professionals.
10. Resistance to AI in Medicine
The participants discussed the challenges of convincing doctors to accept AI due to pride, competition, and territorial behavior. Harvey shared experiences of making doctors feel dumb to eventually gain their respect. Doug mentioned patients' fear of AI similar to vaccine hesitancy.
11. Integration of AI in Medical Practice
The participants emphasized the importance of making the best first opinion in patient care. They discussed the potential motivators for integrating AI in medical practice, including improved diagnostics and mitigating medical practice insurance risks.
12. Improving Healthcare Diagnosis and Technology Adoption
concerns about misdiagnosis by doctors, the slow adoption of technology in healthcare, and the potential risks of over-reliance on AI in patient care.
Discussion on the potential risks of excessive reliance on AI in mental health care, highlighting the importance of human-to-human connections and the need for a human in the loop to prevent adverse outcomes.
Discussion on the importance of maintaining a balance between AI and human interaction in mental health care, emphasizing the need for human oversight in AI-driven patient interactions.
13. Integration of AI in Mental Health Care
concerns about patients relying on AI like Dr. Google and Dr. ChatGPT for medical advice, highlighting the importance of proper medical training and supervision.
Agreement that AI tools should supplement, not replace, human medical care.
14. Integration of Wearables and AI in Healthcare
Discussion on the significance of HIPAA compliance for healthcare apps and the use of on-device AI for enhanced security and user comfort.
Peter Oykhman hosted our Healthcare online session and gave a presentation on a very important topic, "HACVAT and 508 VPAT challenges for the XR industry". Our conversation is shedding light on this difficult question.
The meeting discussed the 508 compliance issue and VPAT 508 compliance, emphasizing the challenges faced by software vendors in meeting the requirements set by the US government. Concerns were raised about the impact of non-compliance on vendors working with government entities and the need for a consistent message among software vendors. The conversation also touched on compliance measures related to mobile devices, highlighting the challenges in meeting standards and the importance of data protection and security, especially in sectors like healthcare. A decision was made to focus on making applications compliant with hearing impaired users, while acknowledging the challenges in achieving full compliance for visually impaired users. Additionally, there was a discussion on the need for regulation changes to address technology accessibility issues for visually impaired individuals, with plans to collaborate with associations and vendors to find solutions. Next steps include sending a letter to bring together stakeholders and offering to include interested individuals in a collaboration group to work towards resolving technology accessibility challenges.
Topics & Highlights:
508 Compliance Issue and VPAT 508 Compliance
concerns about the 508 compliance issue and VPAT 508 compliance, emphasizing the challenges faced by software vendors in meeting the requirements set by the US government. He discussed the implications for various organizations, including government entities, educational institutions, hospitals, nonprofits, and the military, and highlighted the need for clarity and compliance with the regulations.
508 Compliance and Government Regulations
concerns about the challenges of 508 compliance, the impact of non-compliance on vendors working with government entities, and the need for a consistent message among software vendors.
Discussion on Compliance Measures and Accessibility
Participants expressed concerns about the challenges in meeting compliance measures at 100% and the importance of data protection and security, especially in sectors like healthcare. They discussed the difficulties faced by manufacturers in achieving full compliance and the role of IT departments in assessing the impact of compliance criteria on their organizations.
A decision was made to focus on making applications compliant with hearing impaired users by implementing features like closed captioning, speech-to-text, and text-to-speech. However, it was acknowledged that achieving full compliance, especially for visually impaired users, presents challenges that may not be fully addressed.
VRARA Member Kimberly Workum from University of Manitoba discusses about how VR can be used as a learning tool in nursing and medicine. Watch the interview here!
The use of virtual and augmented reality technologies (collectively known as extended reality or just XR), in the healthcare industry is on a dramatic rise. Some industry analysts predict healthcare to be one of the fastest growth industries for the use of XR.
Recently there have been many press releases and case studies from organizations that have implemented XR solutions for patient care starting from analysis, diagnosis, critical care, therapy, surgical procedures, and of course medical professional training. Are these indicators that we are at the “Tipping Point” for mass adoption of XR in the Healthcare industry?
However, there are many skeptics and naysayers in the healthcare industry .
So where are we really at in terms of adoption of XR in the healthcare industry?
That was the primary question that was asked during the recent VR/AR Association Healthcare Summit at the University of Miami on February 24, 2024.
This 1 day conference and technology exposition was hosted by the University of Miami and brought together physicians, researchers, and technology companies who are leading the way in using XR to share information, experiences and opinions about where we are, and where we are headed in terms of adoption of XR in healthcare.
With over 100 attendees both in person and virtually on the ENGAGE XR platform this conference exceeded attendees expectations.
We would like to thank the VR/AR Association South Florida Chapter, the University of Miami and our conference sponsor Magic Leap for helping us put on this initial event.
If you weren’t able to attend the Miami event then you can join us in Orlando on April 11th and 12th for the VR/AR Central Florida Chapter Immersive Technology Summit at Full Sail University where we will have a track and exhibitors focused on XR and healthcare such as eXeX (the first company in the world to use the Apple Vision Pro in surgical operations who are from Orlando), AdventHealth University, Orlando Health, the US Defense Health Agency, US Army, Navy and Air Force. In addition hardware providers such as HTC Vive, Magic Leap, Varjo, Magnetic 3D will participate and be showcasing their solutions and experiences.
Due to the success of the Miami event we are looking to host Healthcare summits with our VRARA Chapters and other associations around the world. If you are interested, please contact John Cunningham at john@thevrara.com.
Please watch the highlight video of the VRARA Healthcare Summit!
Ognjen Todic and Nikola Paunovic from Keen Research presented our online session https://www.thevrara.com/industry-committees on Voice-Enabled VR Activities Reshaping Language Therapy Experiences , with 25+ professionals.
Ognjen Todic provided an overview of Keen Research's voice-enabled VR activities for language therapy, emphasizing the benefits of on-device processing and privacy. The discussion also covered the benefits of local processing, the SDK and customer use cases, and Pragmatica's virtual reality solution for speech and language therapy. Challenges in accessing speech therapy were highlighted, along with the company's business model and future plans. The regulatory pathway, voice data storage, use cases of the solution, integration with existing VR programs, hardware and battery consumption, voice recognition and noise, supported languages, and pricing model were also discussed.
Voice-enabled VR activities for language therapy
overview of Keen Research and their software development kit for on-device feature cognition.
benefits of on-device speech recognition and how their product, Keen ASR SDK, enables voice-enabling applications locally without the need for internet connectivity.
Keen Research develops SDKs for on-device speech recognition.
developers integrate Keen ASR SDK in their applications to voice-enable them.
privacy and security benefits of on-device processing, ensuring compliance with regulations like HIPAA, COPPA, and GDPR.
importance of on-device processing, including offline functionality, network independence, and scalability.
advantages of on-device processing, such as privacy, security, and removing dependencies on network and back-end services.
Discussion about the benefits of local processing
The speaker mentions the benefits of running everything locally, including no latency, easier customization, and cost or usage-based cloud solutions. They also mention having full control over data and users' data and its use.
Discussion about the SDK and customer use cases
SDK and its features, including native SDKs for iOS, Android, and Linux, a web JavaScript SDK in beta, and a Unity plugin. They also mention supporting multiple languages.
customer use cases, including Metronic, University of Louisville, Viacom, Paramount, PBS Kids, and Pragmatica, with use cases in education and VR training.
Discussion about Pragmatica's virtual reality solution for speech and language therapy
VR solution for speech and language therapy. They mention the positive feedback and traction received for their VR activities.
the problem they are trying to solve, which is the limited availability and high cost of speech therapy for children with communicative disorders.
Challenges in accessing speech therapy
The average cost of speech therapy is $150 an hour, which can go up to over $250 an hour in metropolitan areas. Some waitlists for appointments can be as long as 6 to 12 months, and even longer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The core product is virtual reality activities that allow individuals to practice their communication skills independently. These activities are professionally curated and tailored for clients.
The company's solution is to create virtual reality activities that mimic speech therapy sessions, allowing individuals to practice their communication skills at home. This solution aims to provide immediate intervention and overcome the barriers of cost and availability.
The advantages of the virtual reality product include the use of Keen Research's voice recognition technology, custom tips and personalized feedback, and the immersive and transferable practice it offers. Virtual reality allows for hands, head, and gesture tracking, which is beneficial for individuals with autism.
Business model and future plans
The company's business model involves selling the product as a subscription plan for $150 a month, providing access to all virtual reality activities and the data dashboard.
The company is based in Canada and plans to expand to the US market. They have competitors in the VR therapy space but highlight their product's autonomy and voice recognition capabilities as unique advantages.
The team plans to finish stage one of their marketing strategy by the end of the year and move on to stage two, which includes ad spend, digital marketing, and social media. They also discuss the need for seed funding by September 2025.
Regulatory Pathway
the regulatory pathway for the company's intervention in the field of suicide prevention and clinical trials. Karthik explains that FDA approval is not mandatory in speech and language therapy, but they are looking into regulatory approvals for insurance purposes. The main concern is data privacy.
Voice Data Storage
where the voice data is stored. the processing happens locally on the device and there doesn't need to be a recording on the device. However, there is an option to store the recording if needed.
Use Cases of the Solution
traction in EdTech, language learning, entertainment/education, and frontline worker scenarios such as warehouse operations and healthcare procedures.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Audio Virtual Reality
concern about the lack of voice communication in her VR research study and asked if it could be integrated with an existing company's VR program.
the integration of voice communication into an existing VR program would require the company to integrate their SDK.
a Unity plugin, but the integration with an existing VR program would require the company to integrate their plugin into their product.
Hardware and Battery Consumption
custom hardware, typically Linux or Android devices, can be used for running the recognition locally.
the battery consumption during recognition, which varies depending on the CPU and typically takes 20 to 60 percent of a single CPU core.
the impact on battery is negligible for most use cases, except for always-on listening scenarios where ruggedized Android phones with stronger batteries may be required.
cloud-based services can drain the battery due to Wi-Fi or internet connectivity, making always-on listening in the cloud not feasible.
Voice Recognition and Noise
the acoustic models used for voice recognition are trained with noisy data to make them more robust.
background noises are typically not challenging for their SDK, but cross talk, especially in situations with multiple people speaking simultaneously, can be harder to handle.
Supported Languages and Adding New Languages
the system currently supports English, Spanish, German, and French.
models optimized for kids' voices in English.
adding new languages is considered straightforward, requiring a lot of speech data. They are open to adding more languages based on business needs.
Pricing Model
the company's licensing model and compares it to Azure's pricing model.
the trade-offs between the two pricing models and highlights the suitability of their product for larger user bases or environments with unreliable internet connectivity.
We are thrilled to have Vahé Karamian join our team as the VRARA LA Chapter President.
Vahé is the CTO of Noorcon Inc., a consulting firm concentrating on full-stack application and Digital Twin technology development, specializing in delivering enterprise solutions and platform engineering for training in Healthcare, Education, and Manufacturing facilities. Vahé is also a lecturer at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where he lectures on Computer Graphics, HCI (Human Computer Interaction), and Software Engineering. Vahé is also part of several start-up initiatives designing and developing A.I. and Mixed Reality technologies to solve unique problems in healthcare.
“I am honored and excited to be joining VRARA as the LA Chapter President, and look forward to aligning LA with the action and the definitive growth of VR/AR globally.”
We are thrilled to have Peter Oykhman help lead our community! Join our weekly online sessions here.
Peter Oykhman is co-founder and CEO of PsyTechVR. PsyTechVR is a Mixed Reality application for Mental Health and Wellness. Peter Oykhman previously has served as CEO of CorePartners, a privately owned company in Frederick, Maryland that offers out of the box Inventory Warehouse Management Software called CoreIMS, CoreAchieve cloud based SaaS Learning Management platform and SAP software development. Peter successfully established his first software development and consulting business that after 2000 market crash has been transformed to CorePartners. Right now Peter is involved in two different enterprises as a board member and an officer. Peter’s exposure to international business over the last 35 years allows him to built efficient organizations. Mr. Oykhman while serving as a board member helped to expand business, find new vendors and clients and cut cost.
“I am excited to co-chair because VRARA plays such an important role in promoting VR/AR solutions across multiple industries and cultures. I have been watching VRARA for the last couple years and very impressed with the impact it has on the industry. ”
ENGAGE XR is thrilled to be a platform sponsor for the Miami Healthcare Summit on Feb 1st and to join the VRARA.
ENGAGE is an education, enterprise and presentation platform that seeks to transform how people share ideas and teach lessons to each other globally by harnessing the power of virtual and spatial computing technologies. ENGAGE is a social learning platform where educators are furnished with the tools they need to enable them to create their own immersive lessons and experiences, transforming how educational content is delivered to their students.
ENGAGE also enables people and businesses to connect in a more intimate way by placing you inside the meeting room and allowing users to collaborate using immersive tools such as virtual whiteboards, presenting screens, spatial recordings and virtual locations. The ENGAGE platform seeks to continuously innovate in the social platform spaces, integrating generative AI and spatial reality experiences to enhance how businesses and educational institutions engage with content, learning, teaching and collaboration.
ENGAGE XR is utilized by top universities and Fortune 500 organizations for the purpose of better engagement, retention of information, and experiencing environments that otherwise wouldn’t be accessible in the real world. Event organizers can host presentations, meetings and workshops inside digital twin locations, educators can teach students about the Roman marketplaces in ancient Rome, and businesses can showcase new products in fully immersive spatial experiences.
ABOUT ENGAGE XR:
ENGAGE is a SaaS Enterprise advanced spatial computing platform aimed at the professional and academic market. Designed for professionals, event organizers, educators and corporations to build their own virtual worlds, provide metaverse services directly to their own clients, and create new business models.
For more information about ENGAGE, contact info@engageplc.com or visit www.engageplc.com
The inaugural VRARA Healthcare Summit in Miami is Feb 1st at the University of Miami Lakeside Village.
The use of XR and AI technology to improve healthcare delivery is rapidly increasing and this conference will provide medical practitioners and technologists who are interested in learning how they can adopt XR and AI to meet directly with medical practitioners and technologist who are using it TODAY!
Below are just some of the Medical Practitioners that are using XR and AI that will be speaking. The conference will be limited to 150 people so that everyone can meet in person.
The conference fees to are only $100 and the technology exhibition is free (no need to register for that).
To see all speakers/details and to register for the conference go to: https://lnkd.in/eDZvc4X2
Dr. Robert Masson: https://lnkd.in/e8stpXgy
Dr. Michael Y. Wang: https://lnkd.in/eGAHrSZJ
Dr. Azizi Seixas : https://lnkd.in/eK7D-BvC
Dr. Giselle Ricur: https://lnkd.in/eJV3haR8
Dr. Greta Mitzova-Vladinov,: https://lnkd.in/eEGS9VBQ
Dr. Jorge Calzada: https://lnkd.in/e-_G2UYh
Dr. Miriam Zylberglait (Dr.Z): https://lnkd.in/e-D3SgCu
Dr. Linda Ciavarelli,: https://lnkd.in/en_vmiGh
Col (Ret) Cheryl Lockhart: https://lnkd.in/ebH_sRsX
During our weekly online sessions, our community (both the end-users and solution providers) share their expertise and experiences. Participants introduce themselves and their companies.
During our Healthcare meet this week, the guest speaker was from Yale University, Randall Rode, and he discussed the challenges of scaling virtual reality (VR) technologies on campus, emphasizing the need to address hardware dependencies and practical integration. He also highlighted the use of VR and Microsoft HoloLens in simulation labs, including solving limited faculty resources and involving art students in creating interactive projects. Challenges in implementing VR technology were discussed, such as faculty engagement and strategic planning. The meeting also touched on different modalities to solve problems, the multi-platform approach, incorporating XR into nursing education, current technology implementation, haptics and VR capabilities, patient education using immersive tech, XR and Gen AI for patient simulation, and the challenges of scaling AR and VR in medicine. Concerns were raised about the usage of HoloLenses, and the decision was made to conduct follow-up workshops and encourage faculty integration.
1. Introductions
Participants introduced themselves and provided information about their companies and areas of focus.
2. Presenting Guest Speaker
Alex Dzyuba introduced Randall Rode as the guest speaker, providing information about his role and expertise at Yale University.
3. Scaling Virtual Reality Technologies
Participants discussed the challenges of scaling virtual reality technologies on campus and the need to address hardware dependencies and practical integration.
4. Using VR and HoloLens in Simulation Labs
The speaker mentions that none of the students in the simulation lab think they need VR and haptic gloves.
The speaker gives an example of using Microsoft HoloLens with Azure guides to solve the problem of limited faculty resources and time in teaching basic skills.
The speaker discusses the importance of finding ways to empower student and faculty creators, such as allowing faculty to create their own content and involving art students in creating interactive projects using CT brain scans.
The speaker emphasizes the need for social interaction and accessibility in educational VR solutions, as well as the importance of actively connecting different sections of the campus and overcoming silos.
5. Challenges in Implementing VR Technology
The speaker expresses concerns about faculty engagement and the difficulty of getting them to try new technology.
The speaker discusses the need to determine who will own the VR technology and the importance of strategic planning.
The speaker outlines the five aspects to consider when scaling VR technology: technology, content, institutional culture, implementation and system operations, and financial considerations.
The speaker mentions the peer work they have done and the successful implementation of an XR application in the School of Medicine.
6. Discussion about different modalities to solve a problem
Participants mentioned that considering it's 25 year old technology, it would have solved the problem. He questioned the fairness of claiming that virtual reality or standard reality can solve the problem. He also questioned the feasibility of a mobile internet version of the same thing.
Participants mentioned that getting people in the headset is the best way to sell it, but offering other options is crucial. He proposed a continuum of experiences and the need for alternatives for all audiences.
Participants asked if these other modalities can solve the problem and questioned the applicability of the technology.
Participants responded that it's not an either-or situation and suggested a continuum of experiences with different levels of convenience and fidelity.
7. Discussion about using multi-platform approach
Participants asked about using MDM and the multi-platform approach. Randall Rode mentioned looking at HoloLens and Intune for managing the devices. He discussed the need to make decisions regarding deploying quest headsets and providing alternatives for users.
Multiple speakers discussed the multi-platform approach for consumers of the technology, focusing on managing the devices and providing different experiences.
8. Discussion about incorporating XR into nursing education
Participants shared his background and experience with exploring XR in nursing education. He mentioned the challenges faced, including the weight of devices and the desire for smart glasses. He questioned whether XR is the primary solution for replacing standardized patients or mannequins.
Participants expressed concerns about the current limitations of XR technology and raised questions about its effectiveness as a primary solution.
9. Discussion about current technology and its implementation
The speaker emphasizes the importance of using technology that works today and not waiting for future advancements.
The speaker discusses the need to find ways to fit technology into the organization's culture and gain faculty support.
The speaker mentions the AV team as potential advocates for implementing new technology.
10. Discussion on haptics and VR capabilities
Participants mentioned the importance of having the right tools for specific tasks, such as haptics, and the potential future development of haptic capabilities through XR glasses.
Participants emphasized the importance of plug and play compatibility of adaptive tools in different facilities.
Randall Rode discussed the benefits of VR for practicing procedures without the need for haptics, especially for overwhelming experiences in simulation labs or clinical situations.
Participants shared a research paper that showed the effectiveness of VR in training medical students for surgical procedures and highlighted the importance of learning proper sequences in various fields.
Participants expressed enthusiasm for educators exploring the strengths and shortcomings of VR as a medium for learning in different domains.
11. Patient Education and Immersive Tech
Participants discusses her work on creating a content creation management and deployment solution for patient education using immersive tech.
Randall Rode mentions some early explorations at his institution around patient education and leveraging immersive tech, including support groups in VR.
Participants shares his unique perspective as a medical student and VR researcher, discussing the potential of VR simulations for medical education, particularly in emergency scenarios like codes.
12. XR and Gen AI for patient simulation
Participants mentions other companies using Gen AI for patient simulation.
Participants discusses the ability to modify scenarios on the backend, including medication, allergies, medical history, and voice intonation.
Participants and others discuss the potential of XR and Gen AI for exams, patient education, and visualizing viruses and pathogens.
13. Challenges of scaling AR and VR in medicine
Participants raises concerns about the challenges of scaling AR and VR in medicine, including determining appropriate use cases and getting clinicians engaged.
14. HoloLenses Usage
The team plans to conduct follow-up workshops and encourage faculty to integrate HoloLenses into the curriculum.
On Feb 1st, we are hosting XR and AI in Healthcare Summit in Miami. If interested to sponsor or exhibit, email info@thevrara.com
The Healthcare industry has been identified as one of the industries that is expected to lead adoption of XR and AI technology. From patient care & medical equipment operations and maintenance, to medical staff training, to improving surgical suite operations, XR and AI technology provides unlimited potential to improve medical staff and facility performance to improve patient outcomes.
This one day conference + expo will bring together medical professionals who are currently using XR and AI technologies, medical professionals looking to learn about the technology, Academia and Medical Technology companies that are developing solutions to address needs of the healthcare industry.
Confirmed Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Speakers already include:
Dr. Robert Masson, M.D, Masson Spine Institute, Medical Director and Founder
Colonel (Ret) Cheryl Lockhart, US Air Force and Army National Guard. Former Chief Nurse, Surgeon General Military Nursing Consultant and Army Signal Corp officer
Dr. Linda Ciavarelli, HouseCall VR, Co-Founder
Mary Lee Carter, Parker University. Formerly with AdventHealth
Miles Harper, BEYEONICS. Formerly with Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
Lynn Welch, Lucid Reality Labs
Wayne Fogel, Terasynth
Robert Signore, Co-Founder, Thrive Pavilion Inc
Dr. Miriam Zylberglait, CEO & Clinical Director, Virtual Wellbeing MD
Dr. (Col) Paul Kwon, Medical Advisor, U.S. Army PEO STRI. Pediatrician, US Army.
Kimberly Workum RN, BScN, MEd, CHSE, CCN, University of Manitoba
Univ of Miami
Engage
eXeX
SimX
Xennial
Terasynth
Cleanbox
Others
If interested to sponsor or exhibit, email info@thevrara.com
Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in Miami on Feb 1!
One of the hottest growth areas for XR and AI technology is in healthcare and the VR/AR Association (VRARA) and the University of Miami Frost Institute for Data Science & Computing are partnering to put on a 1 day conference and expo at the University of Miami campus on February 1, 2024.
Our keynote speaker for this conference is Dr. Robert Masson MD, world renowned surgeon and technology innovator who is also founder and CEO of eXeX, a medtech company that is transforming the surgical industry by leveraging XR and AI technology.
We would like to invite medical professionals, technologists and companies who have experience in deployment of XR and AI in healthcare who want to share that experience to apply to be a speaker.
Call for speakers closes on December 5th. Please email our COO John Cunningham if you are interested .
The VRARA Healthcare Forum Provided a Platform for Revolutionizing Healthcare Through Virtual and Augmented Reality
The VR/AR Association (VRARA) hosted it's annual Healthcare Forum, a virtual event comprised of health tech pioneers, industry experts, and healthcare professionals that are dedicated to advancing healthcare through the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies, digital health, medical, and AI.
Our Forum 2023 had 45+ speakers and 1240+ attendees from Microsoft, Bloomberg, Magic Leap, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Merck, Thermo Fisher, Harvard, Edwards, MIT, NYU, CAE, Sony, Intel, Nebraska Medicine, Global Center for Health Security, NYC Health + Hospitals, Meta, Elsevier, Pfizer, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Mayo Clinic, SSM Health, PICO.
Top Speakers, Sessions included:
VR/AR & AI Technology in Healthcare - With Super Powers come greater Responsibilities - Rafael Grossmann, Surgeon, MD
How VR/AR and Generative AI will Impact the Future of Healthcare (panel) with Doug Hohulin, Harvey Castro Author of ChatGPT and Healthcare, and Denise Meade, Microsoft
VR/AR in Healthcare: How to Scale Successful VR/AR Training Programs by David Burch, ArborXR
TAMP Doctor Innovators (panel) with David Hall, CEO, TAMP and TAMP doctors from around the world
VRARA Healthcare Forum provided the healthcare industry with a unique opportunity to explore the benefits and applications of VR/AR technologies. These technologies offer innovative and immersive experiences that promote patient engagement, accelerate clinical trials, and enhance healthcare outcomes.
VR/AR technologies have brought about a myriad of changes in the healthcare industry. Some of the exciting ways the VR and AR technologies have revolutionized healthcare include:
1. Training Healthcare Professionals
VR and AR technologies offer a safe and immersive environment for training healthcare professionals. These technologies provide them the opportunity to hone their skills and practice managing complex medical scenarios in a realistic environment.
2. Enhanced Patient Experience
The immersive experience that VR provides can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and aid the rehabilitation of patients. AR technology can help provide patients with interactive and visual aids for better communication and understanding of their medical conditions.
3. Virtual Consultations and Checkups
VR and AR technologies are already being used for virtual consultations and checkups by healthcare providers. This technology enables physicians to conduct remote consultations and checkups with patients in different locations, thus reducing the time and cost associated with travel.
4. Improved Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are an integral part of developing new drugs and treatments for various medical conditions. VR and AR technologies have revolutionized this process by making it possible to conduct realistic and safe simulations using virtual patients, significantly reducing the time and costs of clinical trials.
The VRARA Healthcare Forum provided healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry experts with a platform to share their knowledge and insights on the use of VR and AR technologies in healthcare.
This forum brought together healthcare professionals, technology experts, and researchers from around the world to explore the vast potential of virtual and augmented reality technologies in healthcare.
By participating in the VRARA Healthcare Forum, individuals and organizations were able to:
Connect with like-minded individuals and organizations committed to advancing healthcare through VR and AR technologies.
Learn and share insights into the latest trends and developments in VR and AR technologies and how they apply to healthcare.
Access informative and actionable resources that support the application of VR and AR technologies in healthcare.
In conclusion, the VRARA Healthcare Forum was an invaluable opportunity for healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry experts to explore the potential of VR and AR technologies in healthcare. The forum offered a platform for individuals to share their knowledge, connect with like-minded individuals and organizations, and advance healthcare.
Thank you to our forum Sponsors!
Get ready for more healthcare innovations at our Immerse Global Summit in Orlando!
