Understanding the Uses and Benefits of Haptic Integration within Virtual Simulations

Healthcare learners use simulations to train their skills prior to treating real patients. These simulations can happen in-person (e.g., role playing) or they can happen virtually using gamified educational software. One drawback of using many of these virtual simulations is that many do not provide the healthcare learner with force-based feedback (e.g., haptics). For example, when cutting in the virtual simulation, the healthcare learner might not learn how much pressure is needed. Furthermore, those that do provide haptic feedback are inadequately researched in terms of how they affect the learner’s educational experience. One company that had made a haptic-compatible virtual simulator is Haply Robotics. The aim of this project is to utilize Haply Robotics technology to see how haptic feedback influences dentistry students’ performance and confidence. We also want to see how this technology is perceived by dentistry students and if it confers benefits over the non-haptic version.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jason Harley

Student:

Partner:

Haply

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McGill University Health Centre Foundation

Program: