Nowadays virtual reality technology is much more than just a tool for gamers and free-time activities – it helps businesses that are ready to revolutionize the way they work to benefit.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, virtual reality (VR) is an artificial environment, which is experienced through sensory stimuli (such as sights and sounds), provided by a computer and in which one’s actions partially determine what happens in the environment. Applications of virtual reality can include entertainment (i.e. video games) and educational purposes (i.e. medical or other types of training). For those new to VR, it uses 3D-generated images to immerse a user into a simulated environment so that they feel like they are there in a real-life situation. VR can be broken down into three types:
- Mobile — users insert their mobile phones into a VR headset (e.g. Google Cardboard). Good for 360 promo-materials about your company.
- Standalone — the headset does not require any additional cables or devices to run virtual reality experience (e.g. Oculus Go, Oculus Quest, VIVE Focus). A perfect fit for training at the workplace when you can compromise on the level of 3D graphics for mobility.
- Desktop — VR powered by high-end computers and a VR headset (e.g. Oculus Rift S, HTC Vive, HP Reverb, Valve Index, Varjo, etc.). A great match when highly-detailed and photo-realistic 3D graphics are essential for your virtual reality training.
So how can VR help in learning and training? This technology can transform the way educational content is delivered. VR Training is a technology created to improve the performance of learners. Trainees are placed in a virtual environment where they carry out various tasks under remote or local surveillance by a mentor or instructor. The technology offers a safe and cost-effective way to develop employees’ skills without the risk of an injury. Actual machines and equipment functioning at the enterprise can be accurately duplicated in a 3D environment.
The purpose of immersive learning is to create a modern virtual reality training course in which employees’ workplace is constructed realistically. The VR solution includes both peculiarities of equipment maintenance and safety procedures. Such flow reduces the necessity of long real-life training, workflow interruptions, and the risk of injury.
VR Training is a technology created to improve the performance of learners. Immersive learning environments offer a safe and cost-effective way to develop employees’ skills without the risk of an injury. Actual machines and equipment functioning at the enterprise can be accurately duplicated in a 3D environment.
Though immersive training simulators seem to be a rather new solution, many world-class companies are already using virtual reality to train their employees. For example, Walmart uses virtual reality to prepare their associates for effective daily workflow. KFC has its own virtual reality training simulator – the Hard Way, which teaches its employees to prepare well-known fried chicken. UPS enhances drivers’ safety training with virtual reality using simulations and the training modules to identify pedestrians, parked cars, and oncoming traffic. DTEK (Ukraine’s biggest energy company) and Ferrexpo (Ukraine’s biggest mining company) are using immersive technologies to train their employees to provide high-risk maintenance operations of work equipment, from the mundane to the complex. Volkswagen is going to train 10,000 employees in production and logistics using more than 30 VR training simulations created in partnership with Innoactive, and even The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department & United States Armed Forces have turned to virtual reality as a quicker and more harmless way of employees’ training. They use a hexagon-shaped VR simulation with 300-degree screens on 5 of the sides to teach officers what to do in a real-life shooting scenario – this type of immersive training provides soldiers with proper judgmental use of force, scenario awareness, critical thinking, communication skills, and decision-making under stress. Ernst & Young in partnership with Sensorama has developed a Soft Skills Training simulator with real-life situations, which helps practice different scenarios, tackle tough tasks, engage employees in the training process, and educate them on how to apply correct sequencing of actions with the help of DISC model which enables interactive face-to-face conversation.
Don’t hesitate to use immersive technologies in learning and training to be the leader of your industry — schedule a free consultation call with our expert to learn more about how VR can benefit your business.
