Diepenbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Diepenbeek, PXL University nursing students will use XR virtual reality to train on DaVinci surgical robots, practicing procedures safely and preparing for robot-assisted surgeries in modern hospitals.
As VRT News reported, nursing students from PXL University of Applied Sciences will learn on a surgical robot with virtual reality soon in Diepenbeek, in the province of Limburg, Belgium. They said it’s about using the DaVinci surgical system, which is the current platform allowing surgeons to conduct precise surgery using robotic arms.
While hospitals are using these robots more often, training for nurses and support staff is still limited. With the new VR program, students can practice real-life situations safely. They will learn how to prepare the robot for surgeons and respond to problems like technical malfunctions.
How is PXL University using extended reality to transform surgical training?
The program uses extended reality (XR), which combines virtual, augmented, and mixed reality.
“This means that the reality around you is still visible, but thanks to virtual reality, you can add elements. You can compare it to the popular game Pokémon Go,”
Explains developer Jeroen Olaerts of the Limburg-based company Toster.
A new extended reality tool is set to change the way surgeons and nurses train for robotic procedures. Unlike traditional methods, it does not require a real robot or an operating room. Trainees can practice complex surgeries in a virtual environment.
Professor Joe Knol, an abdominal surgeon at Oost-Limburg Hospital and project advisor, noted that the simulations are realistic and allow teams to practice rare or high-risk scenarios without impacting patients or the schedule at the hospital.
The project is a collaboration with PXL University of Applied Sciences, Diepenbeek, which trains nurses as well as surgeons. Project leader Olaerts explained that robotic surgery is common in hospitals but difficult to learn.
“Thanks to this XR tool, we can prepare our teams faster, safer, and with more confidence,”
He said.
The initiative is supported by POM Limburg’s X innovation fund and is still in development. Within a year, the first students are expected to experience a surgical robot through extended reality. Experts say this breakthrough is a major step in medical education, offering practical training without risk to patients.
The extended reality surgical training project in Limburg was launched in 2024 as part of a push to modernise medical education. In March 2024, POM Limburg and the Province of Limburg introduced a €550,000 XR Innovation Fund to help local companies and knowledge institutions develop practical XR applications.
The project is a collaboration with PXL University of Applied Sciences, which provides expertise in digital technology and education, and Oost-Limburg Hospital, which contributes clinical experience.
