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From Soft Plastic Manikins to Artificial Intelligence
Success story from Norway Health Tech's newsletter (this story is translated from Norwegian with Co-pilot)
For over 80 years, Laerdal Medical has developed solutions that have helped save millions of lives. Now, the company is entering a new era—where data and artificial intelligence, in combination with plastic manikins, are at the center of future learning and patient safety.
When Laerdal Medical launched Resusci Anne in the 1960s, it revolutionized CPR training. For the first time, healthcare professionals and volunteer organizations could systematically train in life-saving techniques—helping to establish CPR as a life-saving method worldwide. The manikin quickly became a global icon, used by millions of people in more than 120 countries.
This success made Laerdal a pioneer in medical simulation and established the Stavanger-based company as a global player. From being a small Norwegian company specializing in plastic toys, Laerdal quickly became an international supplier of life-saving equipment and training solutions.
But where plastic was once the innovation itself, it is now primarily a tool for advanced technology.
“Today, we see physical training manikins as a channel to achieve something greater: better learning outcomes, more precise competency development, and ultimately more lives saved,” says Inger Johanne Stenberg, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs at Laerdal.
Laerdal Medical: Factory at Forus, Stavanger
Laerdal Medical has its own factory at Forus, Stavanger, where smart training manikins are produced on a large scale.
Photo: Laerdal Medical
Technology Systematized
While many associate Laerdal with classic medical equipment, the company is now repositioning itself as a world-class technology company. AI, VR, and digital platforms are now just as important as the manikins that started the journey. But unlike many tech companies that develop standalone solutions, Laerdal has always focused on the bigger picture.
“Laerdal has an ambitious goal to help save one million more lives every year by 2030. To achieve that, it is crucial that we work strategically with key players in both healthcare education and, of course, professional healthcare workers,” explains Michael Sautter, Chief Learning Officer at Laerdal and board member of Norway Health Tech.
He adds that training during education requires a different approach than workplace training, which is important to consider in the overall strategy.
“Laerdal’s solutions—whether physical, digital, or AI-based—are not designed with a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Educating a young student to become a confident and competent healthcare worker requires a different approach than further developing experienced professionals in complex teams. Our ecosystem of products and digital solutions is therefore designed to support healthcare professionals throughout their careers—from the first day of education to leadership roles in practice,” says Sautter.
