The Immersive Suite in action: Enabling future talent
Preparing students for careers in health and care technologies requires more than technical knowledge alone. It depends on providing opportunities to apply theory in realistic settings, test ideas under practical constraints, and communicate innovations with confidence. At Heriot-Watt University, our Immersive Suite plays a central role in supporting this transition from academic learning to real-world application.
That transition from theory to practice was brought to life in the Immersive Suite through a Master’s-level group project to develop an innovative in-ear vital monitoring device, designed to address challenges in wearable health technology.
Key to changing the status quo of monitoring devices like this, the group developed a battery-free device powered by Near Field Communication (NFC), which enabled the wireless transmission of accurate temperature data to a smartphone. By developing a device that communicates with everyday hardware users benefited from greater practicality, comfort and easier long-term monitoring.
Applying theory in a realistic context
To support the development of their prototype, the students made extensive use of the Immersive Suite. The facility enabled the team to fit and test their device on a clinical manikin, allowing them to assess ergonomic suitability and physical integration in a realistic healthcare setting. This hands-on testing moved the project beyond theoretical design, enabling early identification of practical issues and informing iterative improvements to the device.
The Immersive Suite also provided a professional clinical environment in which to capture high-quality images of the prototype in use. These visuals were incorporated into the group’s presentation materials, strengthening the clarity, credibility and professionalism of their final outputs. Presenting their work in this context helped students align their communication with industry and clinical stakeholders needs.
Supporting collaboration and feedback
In addition to technical testing, the adjacent Collaborative Space played an important role in supporting structured feedback and discussion. The student group used this area to present their progress to their supervisor, facilitating informed critique and constructive dialogue throughout the design process.
This setting encouraged students to articulate design decisions clearly, respond to feedback, and engage critically with technical and usability considerations. The ability to move seamlessly between testing within the Immersive Suite and discussion in the Collaborative Space supported a more integrated and reflective development process.
“Our experience with the immersive suite gave us access to valuable discussions with staff that helped guide the development of our in-ear vital monitoring device during our Masters research" said Noah Williams, Master's Student
Building confidence and professional capability
Access to facilities such as the Immersive Suite provides students with valuable exposure to environments that closely resemble professional healthcare and research settings. Working in these contexts helps students develop confidence, demystify clinical environments, and better understand the expectations associated with careers in health and care technologies.
By engaging with realistic testing scenarios and professional presentation standards, students gain experience that supports progression into further research, doctoral study or industry roles. Importantly, the Immersive Suite offers a supportive environment in which students can experiment, refine ideas and learn through iteration, encouraging innovation while remaining grounded in practical application.
Enabling future talent
This case highlights the broader role of the Immersive Suite in supporting skills development and talent pipeline growth across health and care technologies. Its adaptable design enables students to test, demonstrate and communicate innovations effectively, making it a valuable resource for both teaching and research-led learning.
Through investment in facilities that reflect real-world environments, Heriot-Watt University continues to equip students with the skills, confidence and professional awareness required to succeed in interdisciplinary innovation. The Immersive Suite exemplifies how infrastructure can enhance education, strengthen employability and support the next generation of health and care technology innovators.
Anyone interested in collaborating with the Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies can contact business.partnership@hw.ac.uk