Researchers from the University of Newcastle have been awarded a 2.2 million dollar contract to ensure the Hunter branch of the Australian Defence Force is taking the next step.
That next step is virtual reality (VR).
Defence Force Minister Christopher Pyne announced the grants to the University of Newcastle, which will go towards developing a VR program for Defence Force personnel.
The program will see Defence Force recruits experience a range of high-stress simulations, and monitor their heart rate and stress levels.
Associate professor from the University of Newcastle Rohan Walker is working on the program and says it's great to see the university working on such a great program.
"What we're doing here is really taking the best parts of innovative, engaging VR based technologies and combining them with objective assessments of stress to help cadets better control their stress levels", he said.
The simulations won't just be a fire-fight however, it's expected to include high-stress scenarios you might experience in everyday life, including car accidents and responding to incidents.
"It's our hope and the ADF's hope that this program will be embedded within their workforce in a couple of years".
The program is currently in the prototype stage and could be ready as early as next year.
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| Virtual Reality in the Military Source; Virtual Reality |
