Overview

This project proposes the development of an immersive paediatric transport simulation using the augmented reality and virtual reality capabilities of Apple Vision Pro. The simulation will recreate the interior of a rotor-wing transport environment and use mixed-reality overlays to train learners in the management of high-risk, low-volume scenarios during flight.

The project builds on prior work in in-situ paediatric transport simulation and aims to explore whether extended reality (XR) tools can enhance realism, learner engagement, and critical decision-making under transport-specific constraints.

Educational & Clinical Rationale

  • Rotor-wing scenarios are difficult to simulate in situ due to logistical barriers (safety, fuel cost, availability of rig, etc.)

  • Learners rarely experience the spatial and sensory constraints of air transport before being asked to perform in them.

  • Vision Pro’s new Guest User feature offers a new opportunity to provide immersive, reusable, and safe transport training without grounding and aircraft or exposing teams to risk.

Goals

  1. Create a realistic 3D model of a rotor-wing ambulance interior using LiDAR scanning or CAD assets

  2. Partner with XR developers to build an interactive simulation scenario on Vision Pro

  3. Pilot the simulation with Children’s Wisconsin transport team members

  4. Evaluate feasibility, learner perception, and educational impact

Project Timeline

  • Plan

    PGY1 (Fall ‘25 - Spring ‘26)

    Establish mentor support, build collaborative relationships with XR leaders in the community, network swith MCW & CW Simulation Centers, seek funding sources, begin IRB prep

  • Build

    PGY 2 (Fall ‘26 - Spring ‘27)

    Complete LiDAR photometry, commence XR development, create data analysis tools, workshop simulation build, finalize IRB approval, test simulation system

  • Implement

    PGY 3 (Spring ‘28)

    Deploy simulations to transport team, collect and analyze data

  • Disseminate

    PGY 4 (Fall ‘28 - Spring 29)

    Submit abstract to national conferences, present findings, finalize manuscript

Moving Forward

Current Status

  • Project is in early concept stage

  • Seeking mentorship and feedback on feasibility

Next Steps

  • Identify potential collaborators in XR development (Marquette, MSOE, UWM)

  • Obtain funding for equipment resources

This study is PENDING approval.

Awaiting submission: Medical College of Wisconsin Institutional Review Board

Location: Medical College of Wisconsin| Wauwatosa, WI

Please check back in the coming months for updates and/or results.

Meet the Team

We’re a growing collective of investigators, clinicians, and XR developers working to lead the next generation of simulation research in pediatric transport medicine. Whether you’re an educator, engineer, or expert in extended reality, we’re building something bold — and we’d love to have you on board.


  • Principle Investigator


  • Study Design | Resident Investigator