The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to design the first scientifically valid, immersive virtual reality–based assessment tool for measuring spatial orientation. This ability is essential in fields such as aviation, healthcare, and public safety, where over 10 million Americans are assessed each year. Despite its importance, existing tools—relying on conventional computerized assessments—are not reliable and fail to activate the sensory systems involved in spatial orientation. The proposed project integrates insights from cognitive neuroscience and human-computer interaction to create a scientifically grounded, portable, and scalable solution for accurate spatial orientation assessment in personnel selection, training, and diagnostics. It will also advance scientific understanding of the processes involved in spatial orientation and how immersive virtual reality can support reliable assessment and training of this ability. The business model involves annual licensing to key industry sectors. By year three, the tool is expected to be deployed in at least three major industries, reaching thousands of users, with impact reflected in licensing uptake and institutional implementation. This technology will be a key driver of the company’s commercial success, marking the start of developing valid immersive virtual reality tools for assessing cognitive abilities. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I pr