From the cutting-edge exhibits in the exhibition hall to the immersive workshops at the heart of San Antonio, IMSH 2026 redefined the boundaries of medical education under the theme ‘Unbound’. This year, the SIMZINE team toured the exhibition hall with Jake Rahman, a prominent figure and influencer in the community, to shine a spotlight on the innovations that are transforming the landscape.

We met industry leaders ranging from high-fidelity mannequin pioneers to new digital ecosystem architects. We asked them a simple yet crucial question:

“In 2026, can we still talk about simulation without mentioning artificial intelligence?”

As the healthcare world moves towards extreme personalisation and data-driven efficiency, we sought to understand whether AI is now the lifeblood of the industry, or if there is still room for pure analogue and mechanical innovation. Read on for the highlights, the most disruptive technologies, and the answers from the leaders who are shaping the future of patient safety.

A SIMZINE exclusive based on IMSH 2026 interviews with Jake Rahman

Danny from TacMed Solutions talks us through the evolution from tourniquets to advanced simulators, such as the female mannequin Maddie and the canine Diesel. The 2026 strategy focuses on the ‘Blood to Go’ programme: thanks to new thermal technologies, the aim is to deliver whole blood transfusions directly to the scene of an accident. This innovation could save 100,000 lives a year in the US by counteracting haemorrhagic shock before patients arrive at hospital.

At IMSH 2026, Ian from MIRNO presented a simulation system inspired by Icelandic gaming, featuring a virtual hospital bed displayed on a large touchscreen. Preferred to VR headsets for its intuitive nature, the device features hyper-realistic patients exhibiting dynamic clinical signs (such as anaphylactic shock) that can be observed in real time. The aim is to transform medical and nursing training by providing an effective tool for teamwork and complex clinical scenarios with unparalleled visual accuracy.

On the last day of IMSH 2026, Andreas from SimStation presented the latest developments from the Austrian company in the fields of audio-video debriefing and LMS integration. Key innovations include the use of artificial intelligence for automatic transcription and a visual CPR analysis system that measures depth and frequency. Thanks to its flexible support philosophy, SimStation can now integrate virtual patients and existing hardware, ensuring high audio quality and ease of use for new projects and upgrades to existing systems.

Assaf from Simboost presents a software platform that offers complete management of simulation centres, covering everything from recordings to debriefing and inventory. Its standout feature is its extreme flexibility: it is compatible with commercial hardware and existing IP cameras, which reduces migration costs. Simboost also stands out for its perpetual licence model (no subscriptions), which is ideal for hospital budgets. Despite the integration of AI in the debriefing process, the goal for 2026 remains to optimise training through an intuitive interface for doctors and nurses.

Gretchen Brock presented RadSim, a division of Psychology Software Tools that specialises in radiology simulators. These are faithful replicas of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines that enable technicians to undergo training and help prepare patients, especially children, without using expensive real scanners. A unique advantage is that they can be used to manage emergencies in the ward (such as cardiac arrest): mannequins with metal parts can be used, which are prohibited in real MRIs. The brand’s future expansion plans include simulators for CT scans and large-bore MRI models to meet the needs of modern hospitals.

In an interview with Jake Rahman, Kimber from the Cleveland Clinic described the Iris platform as an essential tool for managing thousands of scenarios each year. Its strength lies in its scalability. Iris enables the work of numerous facilitators to be organised, ensuring total flexibility. The scenarios created are universal and can be transferred between physical manikins, VR and standardised patients from different brands. The goal by 2026 is to integrate advanced physiological models directly into the manikins, thereby reducing manual programming time and making simulations more fluid and realistic.

At IMSH 2026, Ahmed and Hannah presented MedAscend, a Glasgow-based start-up that offers a virtual simulation platform featuring AI-driven patients. The system enables realistic conversations for training in communication and clinical reasoning in a safe environment. The patients are fully customisable in terms of appearance, pathologies, tone of voice and mood (ranging from sadness to anger). With over a hundred scenarios, MedAscend now plans to extend its technology to interprofessional training, facilitating critical communication between doctors, nurses and pharmacists.

At IMSH 2026, Jake from 3B Scientific explained how the company’s recent acquisitions are creating an integrated ecosystem for medical simulation. The main innovation is a compact, inexpensive device that generates artificial airway resistance when inserted between a self-inflating bag (BVM) and a mask. This app-controlled technology makes high-fidelity ventilation accessible to any simulator, from helicopter rescues to classrooms, at a reduced cost. Looking to the future, Jake is focusing on the ‘democratisation of design’: thanks to AI tools such as Cursor and Claude, clinicians without programming skills can now design customised educational solutions, accelerating innovation in the field.

Jake interviewed Dervis Demirez, founder of Medical X, who shared his vision based on 25 years of experience in aerospace engineering and simulation. The company’s current philosophy marks a return to “task trainers”: instead of robot mannequins that are too complex and expensive to repair, Medical X focuses on simulators that target individual skills, ensuring that students master the fundamentals before moving on to complex team scenarios.
At the event, they presented a new airway trainer, a portable angiography simulator, a haptic device for laparoscopy and Manager X software for managing simulation centres. The strategy for the future focuses on maintainability (easy-to-repair devices) and extreme realism of materials, moving beyond the era of “plastic dummies” to improve the direct impact on patient safety.

At IMSH 2026, Adam presented Avkin, a company that focuses entirely on “human simulation” through wearable simulators. Instead of using robotic mannequins, Avkin applies technological devices to real actors (standardized patients), combining automated clinical response with authentic human interaction.
The flagship product is a fully automated wearable childbirth simulator. Unlike fixed mannequins, this allows the “mother” to move, walk, and assume different positions (such as being on all fours), while simulating complications such as hemorrhaging, shoulder dystocia, or normal deliveries. By 2026, Adam predicts exponential growth in human simulation, supported by new official industry certifications, to bring empathy and communication back to the center of medical training.

On the last day of IMSH 2026, Jake introduced Simira, a hyper-realistic neonatal manikin dedicated to neonatal life support, to Julian from MedicalFX. The name is an acronym for ‘SIM’ (Incubatable Replaceable Airway), highlighting its main feature: an easily replaceable airway.
During intubation training, high-fidelity manikins often become damaged (particularly the epiglottis) due to incorrect manoeuvres. SIMIRA solves this problem by enabling the entire airway to be replaced in seconds. The manikin supports bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation, intubation, laryngeal mask airway (LMA), umbilical access (UAC/UVC) and intraosseous (IO) access. For the latter, the company provides 3D printing files to enable centres to print replacement bones themselves.

Mike, the CEO of Innov2Learn, presented innovative solutions that transform real medical instruments into simulators using a single free app. New features include a neonatal scale and a tympanic thermometer (updated for the European market), which display simulated readings via Bluetooth and can transform any device into a teaching tool at minimal cost.
Another notable innovation is the Voice Cast Kit, which includes a voice-changing interface and a headset for instructing ‘standardised patients’ (actors) individually. Mike believes that the future lies in portability and gamification, and that the ability to instantly transform any room into a simulation lab will meet the flexibility needs of hospitals and the armed forces.

As IMSH 2026 drew to a close, Howard Fried of Vantari VR reflected on the company’s global expansion, which has now reached dozens of specialisation programmes in the US and expanded into Europe, including Italy, and the UK. Vantari operates as a ‘Netflix of simulation’, consistently releasing new content for its subscribers.
Key new features include the first flexible bronchoscopy module for teaching navigation and landmark recognition, as well as new POCUS (point-of-care ultrasound) content, which is essential for students and technicians. Dr. Fried points out that 2026 marks the definitive acceptance of VR/AR in the sector, with even traditional physical hardware companies migrating to virtual reality. This confirms the value of VR/AR for self-directed learning and reducing faculty workload.