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Simulation laboratory
Director: Abiodun E. Akinwuntan, Ph.D.
e-mail:
aakinwuntan@mcg.edu
Lab description:
Visual, cognitive, perceptual, psychological, speech and motor
deficits experienced after a neurological impairment affect the ability
to return to safe driving. Though studies have demonstrated that some
neurologically impaired persons are able to drive again, very little is
known on the effectiveness of driving training programs. In view of a
valid motor learning concept that “there is greater amount of positive
transfer of learning when a skill is trained in a similar context in
which it is performed”, simulators provide a unique opportunity to be
able to train driving in a similar context to real life traffic without
exposing patients to the danger of real road traffic. Other major
advantages of training in a driving simulator include the fact that
different skills required to drive safely can be independently
simulated, feedback can be provided to analyze performance and
problematic traffic situations can be repeated until satisfactory
performance is achieved. The focus of the research center is therefore
to study the effect of simulator based driving training on the ability
to drive after a neurological impairment. Human models include healthy
young, older and neurological conditions such as Stoke, Parkinson's
disease and Dementia. Emphasis is placed on exploring the contributions
of simulators in providing quality, inexpensive, effective yet safe
driving rehabilitation program to neurological patients who wish to
drive again. The knowledge derived from these studies may be applied to
other activities of daily living that are affected due to deficits
experienced after a neurological impairment using virtual reality
technology.
Lab Equipment:
STISIM Drive Interactive Driving Simulator Model 300
A full bodied car with all its operational parts
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