Industry: Construction & Engineering
Project Design and Operator Training in VR
CASE STUDIES
Explore how we help businesses and universities deploy VR to accelerate learning and improve operating efficiency.
VR Safety Training
Virtual reality can improve EHS training outcomes as it offers a “safe place to fail” – especially for new or relatively inexperienced workers. Accident scenarios can be planned according to the type of construction tasks and equipment such as lifting, loading and unloading, pouring concrete, and working at height. The environment and the scenarios are designed to be similar to actual work situations where accidents have occurred, and can be configured to give trainees hands-on experience in these situations.
OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training can be enhanced with VR to cross language barriers and reach more remote workers. Because VR leads to higher learning efficacy (because the training is “experienced”) workers will be better trained and can take control of an unexpected situation quickly. This helps companies reduce financial loss, risk and injury or death to workers.
VR Operator Training
Many jobs within the construction industry involve using and maintaining large machinery, which can be dangerous without proper training. While workers need training, it can be impractical or unsafe to train on real equipment. Companies can mitigate the costs and risks of training in real-world situations, by familiarizing themselves with basic equipment controls and operation in a safe virtual environment before ever operating the real equipment on a job site.
VR doesn’t replace hands-on learning – it accelerates it because operators and technicians can spend tens (or hundreds) of hours of virtual task training in advance of laying hands on the actual equipment. A VR practice session can take just 20-30 minutes and be can be self-directed or instructor-led by SMEs anywhere in the world. VR training is also a great option for cross-training existing workers and seasonal contractors and maintaining job site “competent person” status.
VR Project Design
Architects and engineers can visualize projects in virtual reality in far more detail and proportion than 2D renderings, prior to building structures. By virtually “standing inside” buildings, architects and engineers can better understand design aspects of a project – including adjustments that may need to be made in adapting the design to the construction site. During the sales and bidding process, vendors can use VR-based digital twins to allow potential customers and stakeholders (zoning, developers, etc.) to “experience” projects long before they are erected. This type of virtual visualization capability can play a critical role in winning potential projects.
