The simulation content is displayed on a large screen in front of the trainee, who uses the treadmill to explore the area, while the simulator recognizes eyesight direction and the movement of the trainee’s arms and legs to reflect them in the virtual content. (image: KIMM)
DAEJEON, Dec. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – The Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials has developed a VR simulator that provides preventive training sessions for employees at industrial complexes.
The system is a combination of VR content, a treadmill, and the virtual operation of equipment, where trainees can walk around on the treadmill and use their hands to control industrial equipment that appears in a virtual realm, making the training experience much more realistic than conventional simulations that were mostly visual-based.
The simulation content is displayed on a large screen in front of the trainee, who uses the treadmill to explore the area, while the simulator recognizes eyesight direction and the movement of the trainee’s arms and legs to reflect them in the virtual content.
Trainees can move around the site to better grasp the distance between various installations, and estimate the time required to conduct specific tasks.
The researchers designed the machines and equipment that appear in the content based on 3D CAD models, in order to best realize accidents such as explosions, fire, or gas leaks. The training environment itself will change in response to how trainees engage with the equipment and the situation provided by the simulator.
“For highly dangerous installations like chemical processing plants, it’s equally important to train to react quickly and handle the crisis as it is to prevent such accidents,” said senior researcher Cha Moo-hyun. “The technology is applicable in various fields, including military exercises, rehabilitation treatment, and sports training.”
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
