Teletrix licensed Oak Ridge National Laboratory technology to teach radiological personnel and control technicians. AR depicts ionizing radiation accurately.
ORNL created VIPER utilizing simulated radiation data and a game environment. The device splits an area into cubes with dose-based ionizing radiation volumes. The data is utilized to build a 3D gradient contour picture superimposed over an AR headset view. This lets headset-wearers see the space’s contours. Based on movement, the gadget simulates real-time exposure.
“We combined physics-based data with a gaming interface that provides a visual platform to make something invisible look and feel real – we took science and cinematography and brought them together,” said Michael Smith, an ORNL nuclear space systems engineer and development team member.
He stated ionizing radiation training is better and safer. “Our team developed this technology at the right time and place. There was a combination of technology and software maturity and a long-standing demand to view ionizing radiation.
He continued: “Just by having a general impression of the spatial relationship of your body in a given radiation environment, you can decrease your overall dose based on really fundamental behavioural changes.
Ionizing radiation is invisible, so you walk through it. However, you can’t unsee your workplace radioactivity. AR helps individuals visualize ionizing radiation.”
ORNL envisioned three uses:
- Radiological survey – To replicate real-time detector readings and capture data from actual occupational usage by radiological control technicians when the radiation source location is known.
- Radiation source search – To take real-time detector data, map personnel locations, and rapidly communicate visual and spatial radiation data to radiological personnel searching for an unknown radiation source.
- Radiological workflow – For educating radiological employees who operate in comparable radiation conditions daily but may not know the geographical features of recognized source dangers.
Teletrix supplies utilities, emergency responders, and government entities. VIZRAD, a virtual reality software solution, replicates contamination on people and workplaces and educates users to scan with detectors by delivering objective feedback.
“When I put the AR glasses on, it was obvious that ORNL’s technology and Teletrix’s tools were a great fit,” said Teletrix sales & business development manager Jason O’Connell. We can track a person’s exact location in a room and inject source information using the headgear and AR technologies. Having more realistic instrument readings leads to better-prepared staff, trainees, and fewer incidents—this technology will make this business safer.”
ORNL’s Nuclear Radiation Protection Division demonstration facility tested AR technologies with precise radiation readings using caesium-137. “Statistically significant behavioural changes after minimal training with AR representations of radiation fields” were seen in 40 subjects.
“ORNL pioneered numerous scientific fields, including radiation protection, in the 1940s,” said Susan Hubbard, ORNL deputy for science & technology. In our 80th year as an institution, we lead in this field. This technology will help radiologists understand their workplaces, making them safer and more informed.