VR Healthcare Demo Tour Comes to Kansas City

Wednesday, October 9, 2024—The VR Healthcare Demo Tour made its way to Kansas City at Keystone CoLab from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The showcase, scheduled to visit eight cities, highlighted innovative VR technologies within healthcare, primarily by transforming how healthcare professionals are educated and ultimately improving patient care. The event was the culmination of an effort by Jim Starcev of KC Digital Drive, and Doug Hohulin of VRARA, to bring the International Virtual Reality Healthcare Association (IVRHA) tour to Kansas City. 

During the event, Don Shin, CEO of CrossComm, shared his work for the American Cancer Society in a presentation entitled “Deploying a Patient-Facing AI Application at the American Cancer Society: Lessons Learned.” The event included lunch, and although the food was delicious and an incentive for attendance, the event’s highlight was the showcase itself. 

Around the room, attendees could be found in VR headsets, practicing surgeries, or engaging with virtual patients built upon AI models to respond to real-time interactions. The most futuristic display right out of a science fiction movie was zSpace, whose technology allows an immersive, hands-on experience without a headset or glasses. As attendees approached the zSpace display, a beating heart seemingly appeared out of thin air, which attendees could interact with as if by magic.

In all, eight companies had their innovative technology on display – 

  • NeuroCoVR created the Universal VR Hygienic Mask by PSI – a washable, fabric face cover that ensures a comfortable, immersive, and hygienic experience when using a shared VR headset. 
  • Cleanbox is a leader in sustainable disinfection for VR and AR headsets, affording attendees a sanitary showcase.
  • Elm Park Labs is home to an XR modular development platform. They were in attendance showcasing their healthcare education solutions on hand.
  • 3lbXR is a gaming studio and home to Grokit and GroKit core. Grokit is a multiplayer mixed-reality game built upon the GroKit core, which is a game development platform built for Unity that empowers spatial computing developers. 
  • XRenegades is an immersive technology consultant firm specializing in healthcare and educational institutions.
  • CrossComm builds custom apps that leverage innovative technologies for enterprises, healthcare providers, education institutions, startups, and nonprofits.
  • Patient Ready leverages VR and AI-drive simulation to deliver realistic simulation-based learning for nurses.
  • Simtryx creates spatial computing simulations for healthcare. 
  • zSpace is a cutting-edge 3D learning platform that offers immersive, hands-on experiences to enhance student achievement in subjects like science, math, and career and technical education—all without the need for headsets or glasses. By allowing users to interact directly with virtual content, zSpace creates a more engaging and effective way to explore complex topics and boost learning outcomes.

zSpace will also be on display at the Digital Scene KC: STEAM Education event on November 19, 2024. For more information or to register to attend click here

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