TELFORD, PA — Dräger and VirtualiSurg have been awarded the inaugural Obsidian Award by the Academy of International Extended Reality (AIXR), recognizing their Dräger Virtuo XR Babyleo project as a game-changing innovation in extended reality (XR) technology. This groundbreaking XR simulation is reshaping training for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) medical teams by combining clinical expertise, immersive technology, and compassionate care practices.
Launched through a partnership in 2021, the Dräger Virtuo XR Babyleo simulation addresses a critical gap in healthcare training. Designed to prepare NICU staff for high-pressure scenarios, the technology integrates immersive learning tools that not only simulate clinical emergencies but also teach empathy, communication, and how to better engage parents during care.
“Our solution addresses a critical gap in medical education by combining clinical training with communication and compassion,” said Lothar Thielen, President and CEO for Draeger, Inc. “These factors are especially vital in neonatal ICUs, where the experience can be deeply traumatic for parents. Research shows that parental involvement reduces anxiety and improves patient outcomes, but parents often feel left out of the care process. Our XR simulation addresses this challenge by enabling medical staff to manage real clinical cases and emergencies – while practicing how to engage parents in care, and teaching staff how to communicate with empathy.”
The simulation system includes unique features such as a multi-user mode where nurses and staff take on roles to simulate interactions with families, chapters dedicated to parental involvement, and training modules for handling sensitive topics. These components were developed from expert interviews, scientific research, and hundreds of parental stories, ensuring both realism and emotional depth.
“Our team of experts in immersive technologies shares this vision by placing humans and life at the heart of its innovations,” said Nicolas Mignan, Founder and CEO of VirtualiSurg. “To transform healthcare professional training, it is essential to integrate both clinical expertise and the emotional dimension of care. The realism of our scenarios stems from intensive dialog with experts throughout our co-development process. Through this collaborative approach, we design XR solutions that enable caregivers to train on realistic cases while developing essential communication and empathy skills.”
The prestigious Obsidian Award, introduced for the first time this year as part of the AIXR’s annual XR Awards, honors exceptional achievements and innovation in XR technology. Competing against major players like Meta and HTC, the Babyleo XR project stood out for its commitment to advancing training in healthcare through a human-centered approach. The award ceremony was held on December 5, 2024, during Immersive Tech Week in Rotterdam, marking a significant milestone for both the Dräger and VirtualiSurg teams.
With the Dräger Virtuo XR Babyleo project, the two companies are paving the way for a new era in medical education, aiming to expand their technology to additional areas of healthcare. By merging cutting-edge technology with compassionate care principles, the project exemplifies how innovation in XR can save lives and transform patient outcomes.
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