Will Virtual Reality Help Train Electrical Workers?

I would not have thought so until, at a recent trade show, we had our companies VR trainers in the booth. It uses 3D technology to map out an entire facility, and you basically walk around this virtual facility... that mimics your own, and perform maintenance tasks. In our scenario, it was a furnace start-up procedure.

There is a simulation engine behind the scenes that will respond in like with your actions... so a screw up in the procedure will result in a fire where it doesn't belong.

After playing with this thing for a few hours, not only did I become proficient at identifying the devices involved in the process, but also how to correctly start up this type of burner correctly. I also learned, after several failed attempts, how to properly respond to the random "fire in the hole" scenarios created by my mistakes.

The next generation of VR training for our product, as it already uses an XBox gaming controller to navigate, is using the Kinect technology that will allow you to reach for the valves, and use proper motioning to open and close.

So, to answer your question... I have seen it implemented, the technology is EXTENSIVE but operated using simple, familiar tools... and it more than adequately trained me to do a task, and situation response, that I had NEVER seen before.

Product by the way, is EYESim by Invensys... google it. It's very cool. Sorry to cheapen the reply by adding that, but it is relavent to the thread. Forward to about 5:00 minute mark on video to see.

WEll.. it's just another video game...

There is ONLY one way to get experience.. get out there and do the job.

Think about it.. just cos you can kill all the aliens on Xbox.. does it make you a sniper?

._{....There is a simulation engine behind the scenes that will respond in like with your actions... so a screw up in the procedure will result in a fire where it doesn't belong....}

Why would there be a 'screw-up'? What were Edison, Tesla, Steinmetz etc doing ? What will everyone do when the power goes ?

Better be able to do everything without computers. Use computers only as tools. Like a screwdriver?

Who is energy secretary Chu ? A political appointee ? Can he change a light bulb ?

Apologies if i seem offensive, but i have seen many young people become slaves of the computer...did not know whether the spanner goes cw or acw when tightening a screw...God help the future generations....

Gentlemen...

Before you start drawing swords.. each of you (WWSynCon & Kvsridhar) have your own opinion and your own view, as do I.

It is a good point that the printing press was considered the "devils work" when first used, but soon gained acceptance. It was also considered to be a huge leap for mankind, when the silicon chip was invented and how it could be used to better our world.. the XBox is only one minute example of the power of the silicon chip.

but really.. think on this, could you or would you accept into your house a electrician who has learnt all he can about house wiring from a computer, with NO practical traning? I use this example as I started as an apprentice electrician, and worked my way up. The first tool I was taught how to use was a sweeping brush.

The utilisation of the computer is to assist mankind and take the tedious jobs and automate them. The operative word being "Assist", not to take over or to teach or to replace man.

If anyone thinks it, a computer, will do the job take took me 5 years to learn, well they are sadly mistaken.

There is no substitute for learning by your "hands-on" mistakes, and without the amateur dramatics of a virtual fire!

I'll answer based upon my own experience (yes, I have trained electronics and IT technicians). Virtual Reality can be a quite effective tool. It cannot replace "hands-on" training, but it is a good intermediate step. With VR we can safely explore all kinds of situations and disasters. Schools can find it affordable too, since after their initial investment the system is reusable multiple times without the costs of physical materials that get used up (let alone liability insurance et. al.).

I might not hire an electrician who has only learned his trade via simulation, but I have no problem with him using simulation to help learn his trade. VR can expand his horizons. As schools compete for students and reputation I see more VR implemented. But I hope not to replace hands-on training and experience. Hands-on is still superior for learning technique.