Safely learn new skills
BSD’s Aerial Work Platform training simulator teaches you how to operate and inspect two types of aerial work platform.
Learn how to drive a scissor lift or telescopic boom lift in virtual reality before getting into the real machine. Students no longer need to put themselves and others in danger to learn a new skill.
About the project
WJETS approached BSD to develop a VR-based training solution that would reduce the cost of training new aerial work platform operators. They wanted to be able to take students onto the job site virtually and remove the need to travel with the actual hardware which costs a lot of money and is dangerous. They also wanted a way to do some basic aptitude assessments with the simulator before putting people on the actual machinery in their facility.
Use cases
Western JETS uses the Aerial Work Platform simulation as part of its in-class training process. Students run through the VR simulation after studying the correct processes for operation of the machinery.
The software includes an instructor view, which allows the instructor to evaluate the student’s progress. Students wear a VR headset which puts them inside the virtual work platform.
The Aerial Work Platform VR simulation evaluates skills that would be universal to all similar machinery. It does not teach the exact operation of real-world machinery.
Tech information
Aerial Work Platform is a PCVR simulation designed specifically for the HTC Vive Pro headset. It will work with other Vive headsets, but we have not tested it on other SteamVR devices. It does not support Oculus hardware.
An HTC Vive Tracker is required for tracking the custom controller base. HTC’s Vive Wireless Adapter accessory is also supported and recommended.
The experience will run on any computer capable of driving the Vive Pro. We recommend a GeForce RTX 2080 or better for the best performance.
Project funding
This project was made possible through a grant from the Canada Union Training and Innovation Program.
Western Jets was looking for a solution to improve their training process for aerial work platform machines, such as scissor lifts and skyjacks. BSD worked with the company to develop a custom solution that incorporates a VR simulation and a hardware controller to enhance the realism of the simulation.
Take-aways
This project forced us to learn a lot about physical product design, mapping digital controls to physical devices in XR using the trackers, and to create a robust control method for driving heavy equipment in XR.
On the software side, we also created a dynamic environment that has weather that can be triggered, the ability to assess students in the software. We also designed a modular asset packages that would allow us to create new levels rapidly for future expansion.
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Custom solutions for any scenario
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