Safe training enviroments thanks to Virtual Reality

A couple of years ago, virtual reality (VR) seemed like an idea of the future. Although this technology has been in our lives since the late 60s, it is finally making its way into different fields. What was once used for flight simulation training for airline pilots is now being used to train drivers, package handlers, engineers, surgeons and so on. 

But where does the key to the rise of virtual reality lie? It could lie in the multifunctional capacity it can adapt, as it can be used for different and varied functionalities.  In fact, according to the International Data Corporation's (IDC) Worldwide Augmented and Virtual Reality Spending Guide, global spending on Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality is forecast to grow from around 12 million dollars to 72.800 million by 2024.  For this reason, it is expected that the next few years will continue to generate massive adoption of virtual reality in the business environment. 

Virtual reality in business. 

Today, many companies are using and adapting virtual reality technology to integrate it into their process chain. These adaptations range from the integration of additional data into industrial tasks and processes to the implementation of impact solutions in commercial actions and personnel training. 

Training processes with virtual reality. 

The immersive learning provided by virtual reality has become increasingly popular over the years. This is because VR makes it possible to teach employees practical skills in a safe working environment. This means that, thanks to this technology, dangerous or logistically complex scenarios can be replaced by digitally generated scenarios so that employees can learn protocols, skills or other lessons without the cost of travel or physical risk. 

One of the most valuable contributions of virtual reality is that while workers perform their tasks and duties in immersive, true-to-life experiences, they can make mistakes in a safe manner without risking their own lives or the lives of others. In this way, they build the confidence and expertise needed to apply what they learn in real-world situations. 

In addition, this technology allows companies to test the effectiveness of the learning models they have adopted, identifying the most difficult learning points and then adapting them to make them more understandable.  

In other words, companies can have the capacity to adapt training to new needs or realities as they arise. 

Virtual Reality applied to corporate training processes 

There are different ways of applying virtual reality to corporate training processes. For example, Indra, a multinational company providing solutions for the transport, air traffic and defence markets, has developed a system for simulators based on virtual reality to be able to train pilots in less time. The company in charge of operating the Dubai metro has incorporated VR to enrich the training of tram drivers, improve their performance and reduce related accidents. Other companies make use of VR to train their staff in areas of production, maintenance and repair in car manufacturing processes. 

As you can see, the application of virtual reality is quite versatile and brings certain benefits. These are detailed below. 

• Increased learner interest. Introducing them to an immersive experience can attract their attention and minimise the distracting factors of their environment outside of VR. 

• Simulates real-life situations. As we have already mentioned, VR can reduce risks in the most dangerous procedures, providing safety for the employee. 

• Monitoring and customisation.  Immersive experiences can be adapted according to the needs of the company and employees. Likewise, based on a digital programme, the degree of learning and evolution of each employee can be measured. 

• Learning without displacement. The training can be implemented in office spaces, logistics plants or anywhere without the need to continuously move from one place to another. 

The benefits of virtual reality in employee training are obvious. 

Not only because of the impact it can have on employees, the interest in the training and the retention of learning, but also because it can save costs by reducing the number of dangerous situations and training times.