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COPD Foundation unveils motion simulator capsule
WASHINGTON, DC – The COPD Foundation launched their new mobile motion simulator—“The COPD Shuttle: Journey to the Center of the Lung” during the International Conference of the American Thoracic Society last week, where more than 2,800 people experienced a five-minute microscopic journey into the human body to witness the devastating effects of smoking and other pollutants on lung tissue.
The shuttle seats 20 people per ride and is mounted on a custom-built tractor/trailer. It couples high-definition imagery and surround-sound audio with precise, computer-driven motion control. As the journey continues inside the lungs, viewers observe the inflammation, collapse and destruction of the lung passages, marked by increased breathing difficulty and chronic coughing.
“The COPD Shuttle makes viewers feel as if they are inside the body, offering a rare glimpse into the lungs, heightening their understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and providing a catalyst for thousands to seek assessment and treatment,” says John Walsh, president of the COPD Foundation. “During the multimedia immersive ride experience, viewers traverse the globe in rapid sequence, learning of the toxic smoke, dust particles, and chemical fumes that enter the lungs and cause progressive and often debilitating deterioration of lung function.”
Over the next year, the COPD Foundation will use the simulator to increase awareness of lung diseases at health fairs, schools, sporting events, and other public gatherings. On-site screenings for lung diseases are available at select locations and times.
Read more about the COPD Shuttle and its future locations on the COPD Foundation’s new blog.
