UNI SIM (Universal Simulation) based at Innovation Connect’s Technopole centre at the University of Portsmouth, is helping train the next generation of doctors using virtual reality technology.

UNI SIM designed a haptic and virtual reality training simulator for universities, revolutionising medical education where any simulation company can distribute their own software on the simulator. The technology simulates the environment and situation so students can virtually practise medical procedures to help prepare them for when they are treating real patients. This allows the students to practise risk free in a safe environment, enhancing their skills and confidence whilst also reducing the single use plastics that are conventionally used in training.

The technology includes a VR headset to immerse them in the environment, allowing students to familiarise themselves with a clinical setting. The haptic technology adds the sense of touch to recreate interactions between a clinician and the human body during medical procedures such as a lumbar puncture – a simulation from one of their French software partners. The student would be able to feel the needle as it’s going into the ‘patient’s’ back but the situation would be simulated.

James Markey began UNI SIM just before the Covid pandemic hit and was drawn to the idea due to his experience already working with haptics and VR.

James said “I could see the benefits that these technologies would have in terms of education for universities but there was no solution that was affordable or portable. UNI SIM enables us to tackle these two challenges and really make something that was worthwhile and had a positive impact for the future generation of doctors and healthcare professionals.”

Being a member of the Innovation Connect community

James and his team have found great value in being members of the Innovation Connect community. Innovation Connect’s partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs has led them to opportunities and new connections with the Department of Business and Trade that has helped them with their export initiatives. Having access to multiple coworking sites with easy transport links within Innovation Connect has allowed them to efficiently collaborate and test demos with their staff as well as other members of the community, overcoming challenges of having a widespread team.

Being based at the University of Portsmouth has also opened up opportunities to connect and collaborate with students that can test out their simulations, experts from similar fields such as SIGHT (Supporting Innovation and Growth in Healthcare Technologies) and state of the art facilities such as CCIXR (Centre of Immersive and Extended Reality).

Success

UNI SIM has had plenty of success recently, winning through the Accelerate category at the Santander X Global Awards held in Valencia this year, and Digital StartUp of the Year at the StartUp Awards based in the UK.

Speaking of their achievements, James added “It’s a huge, huge validation for everything we’ve been working on. We hope to be able to take this success that’s come from the awards and use the grants to put into our new desktop simulator to help train the next generation of doctors.”

Looking back at what they have accomplished over the last few years and heeding the advice and knowledge they have accumulated from their experiences, James and his colleagues encourage anyone thinking of starting their own business to just give it a go.

“There’s nothing really to hold you back other than your own self-limiting beliefs. If you get out there and create something, put the wheels in motion, then the best thing you can do is put that in front of a potential customer, get the feedback and make changes based on that to perfect your product.”

You can find out more about UNI SIM on their website or watch the video above.