Virtual Reality Helps Train Those Who Wear Hard Hats

摘要

The shovel operator trainee misses the dump truck and drops most of the load on the dump truck's roof. No harm done because the training was done in Virtual Reality (VR) using computers and Head-Mounted Displays (HMD) rather than actual, and expensive, equipment. Virtual reality simulators are now routinely used in training soldiers, sailors, and airmen to perform complex tasks like flying aircraft, driving tanks, and firing weapons. VR is also being used to train operators of surface-and underground-mining vehicles and other heavy equipment. Fifth Dimension Technologies (5DT) in Santa Clara, CA is applying its experience in developing simulators for military tasks to train any heavy equipment operator.