Juxtopia® CAMMRAD PREPARE: Wearable AI-AR Platform for Clinical Training Emergency First Response Teams

The Juxtopia^® Open-Wear research team collaborated with the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute (MFRI) to test how the Juxtopia^® artificial intelligent (AI) wearable augmented reality (AR) intervention may better deliver a hands-free clinical training intervention to firefighter Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and prepare them for effective response to hazardous material (HAZMAT) incidences. During a controlled study, human subjects participated in a minimal risk research (i.e., both as victims or caregivers) in which firefighter EMTs participated in a simulated training exercise that mimicked their real-world operations. During the study, there were two testing days. Day one included (10) victims and (20) caregivers who participated in a full day of training and familiarized themselves with wearable AR Head Mounted Display (HMD) and a Juxtopia® Virtual Tutor (JVT) software application. The results demonstrated that an AI instructor enabled AR system can train EMTs in core clinical skills for effective HAZMAT response.

I. Introduction

HAZWOPER emergency response work represents one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States (U.S.) where, in many cases, emergency medical first responders are expected to deliver immediate care to persons suffering from acute traumatic injuries and exposure to hazardous substances (e.g., chemical spills). Therefore, the HAZWOPER standard devotes very specific and detailed attention to training that represents a major departure from classical emergency medical first responder action. Although advanced training technologies have emerged over the past decade ranging from mobile to virtual reality head mounted displays (HMD)s, current HAZWOPER training technologies are insufficient at tutoring, debriefing, and quantifiably, evaluating fire-fighter hands-on skill proficiency while, simultaneously, allowing both hands free to practice emergency clinical skills. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States (U.S.) require realistic HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) training that measurably develops hands-on skill proficiency.