While every industry poses certain risks to employees and employers alike, manufacturing & industrial companies have increased risks. Improper or ineffective use of large equipment or chemical processes could lead to injury or death, for example, and could damage tools & equipment. Any one of those situations would be horrific to face, but a combination of them could very well lead even a well-established company into dire straits. The main line of defense against this kind of accident is well-trained employees who understand the ins and outs of the manufacturing or industrial process, and that is where utilizing virtual reality as an immersive learning technology comes in.
Virtual Reality Gaming for Manufacturing & Industrial Companies
The first industry that comes to mind when the phrase virtual reality is brought up is unlikely to be the manufacturing industry or industrial companies. Most people will connect it to the gaming industry instead, and indeed, this is where many of the features originated. It’s important to note, however, that there is a thin line between gaming, training, and immersive learning when virtual reality is involved.
Immersive Learning Technology and Training
The selling point of immersive learning technology is that it gives users an authentic experience that immerses them into the work environment. These same features present employers and trainees alike the chance to experience “on-site” conditions without venturing out of the classroom. Because virtual reality immersive learning technology is incredibly effective at sending users into an entirely new world and provoking realistic responses, it’s possible to create all manner of situations for learners to experience. Training in a virtual environment can simulate typical days on-site, of course, but also feature dangerous events that require the user to apply their knowledge and take action to avoid disaster.
The Benefits of Virtual Reality
There are a few different benefits to using virtual reality in manufacturing & industrial companies. The primary benefit, as outlined above, is the opportunity for trainees to become familiar with their work environment before they ever step foot on a job site. By sending them through immersive learning simulations of common missteps that can lead to dangerous events, VR technology is preparing the user to react instinctively the next time they encounter those conditions. This training environment leads to workers who are more likely to act quickly and effectively in the face of potentially dangerous situations and “worst-case scenarios” in their industry.
Another benefit that visual training simulations offer is an increase in productivity. An employer who has worked on projects “hands-on” via virtual reality will be better able to jump right into their job effectively than one who has not. Training costs and errors will become minimized while also reducing errors and potential downtime from mistakes that arise from inexperience.
Training using virtual reality for manufacturing processes or industrial situations might seem like an odd choice, but it’s one that makes perfect sense on a few different levels. If your goal is to maximize productivity and minimize preventable errors, then incorporating virtual reality and immersive learning into your training programs can prove very helpful.
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits that virtual reality systems can have on the manufacturing process or for industrial companies, and how it can improve your training program, reach out to Industrial3D, Inc. (I3D) today!
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