Teletrix launches commercial AR platform for advanced radiation training

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Teletrix launches commercial AR platform for advanced radiation training
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 08, 2024

Teletrix has secured a commercial license for its cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) training platform, VIZRAD AR, which simulates ionizing radiation environments. The platform, originally developed under a research and development license, employs technology licensed from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to enhance radiation safety training through immersive, real-time simulations.

VIZRAD AR integrates ORNL's virtual interaction with physics enhanced reality (VIPER) methodology to mathematically model radiation behavior. This approach creates virtual radiation dose-rate meshes that trainees can interact with using AR headsets, enabling them to detect and measure radiation in realistic, yet safe, environments. This innovative technology offers trainees a unique opportunity to visualize and understand radiation without exposure to actual ionizing radiation.

"Nothing in this world behaves like ionizing radiation, which makes training difficult," said Jason O'Connell of Teletrix. "Additionally, radiation is invisible, which can make understanding its behavior challenging. Augmented reality technology enables VIZRAD AR to visually demonstrate how radiation behaves, improving trainee understanding and enhancing safety for those tasked with working in radiation-controlled areas."

VIZRAD AR sets itself apart by accurately simulating complex radiological scenarios that are beyond the capabilities of current training systems. O'Connell emphasized, "Most existing systems lack the capability to accurately model different radiation source geometries. No other training products offer the ability to visualize radiological behavior in the way VIZRAD AR does."

The transition to a commercial license paves the way for Teletrix to expand the platform's applications. "We aim to expand our offerings with it to include new solutions for contamination, shielding, and other areas," O'Connell said. The company is also exploring customized solutions that map environments with precise dose rates for specific use cases, further broadening the platform's utility.

Teletrix's collaboration with ORNL has been instrumental in the development of VIZRAD AR. "Working with ORNL through this project has been a great experience," O'Connell stated. "They have many resources that have been extremely helpful in assisting a small business to achieve a common goal of getting new technology out into the world."

This milestone reflects a significant advancement for Teletrix, bringing a critical training tool to market and promoting a safer, more informed workforce. The underlying technology was initially developed as part of a one-year exploratory project funded by ORNL's Lab Directed Research and Development program, with contributions from ORNL researchers Michael Smith, M. Scott Greenwood, Noel Nelson, and Douglas Peplow, as well as former ORNL researcher Nicholas Thompson.

Technology Commercialization Group Leader Eugene Cochran led the negotiation of the commercial license terms. Additional details on ORNL's portfolio of analytical instrumentation technologies are available here.