DPD TRAINING VR APP

DPD stands for Dynamic Parcel Distribution – a global forwarding company that mainly provides parcels of less than 30 kg. The company is based in France and operates mainly in the express road-based market. The company also conducts and tests pro-ecological activities, such as the use of electric transport for the delivery of some shipments. It also opens up to new trends, such as B2C market, VR training app,s or e-commerce support, for example in the context of food.

Client

DPD

Sector

Logistics

Transportation

Services

3D modeling

VR training simulator

Technology

HTC Vive Pro / Pico Neo

Unreal Engine

Visual results video

Business value

Now everything seems easier (in VR)

The created application perfectly solves the problems that the client has. The app is actively used in recruitment and training processes. It’s so promising that the client plans to implement further modules, for other positions or similar training, for other devices. Not only PC virtual reality but also VR standalone.

The most significant benefits include:

saving time and money related to employee training
changing the negative effects of personnel fluctuations
innovative and safe training
the possibility of gamification and application usage regardless of the place
accurate replication of the workplace, which facilitates the implementation of a new employee

Challenge

From words to action

The project involved moving from strictly paper-based training to VR training app that would best reflect the reality that the worker would face in the future. The sectors that our client represents are often struggling with one problem – a large human resources’ fluctuation.

Many employees, which is needed to support large logistics centers, require appropriate training. The preparation and training of new employees require that you familiarize yourself with the work system in specific positions and that you will appreciate the decline in efficiency of activities.

The challenge the client set us with was to use VR training app to eliminate downtime during work and make employees aware of what their work will be. The work on the sorting plant should be divided into three main modules, each of which will concern training at a different position.

Process and project scope

Scope

There are three parts of the VR training app.

Part 1: Tape service employee – transfers the goods to another line if this is its direction.
Part 2: An employee receiving parcels from a semi-trailer and laying on a sorter.
Part 3: A worker arranging shipments in a semi-trailer.

Process

It was a big project, which was divided into several modules. That’s why teams decided to work in two-week sprints. We tried to act so that the client could start testing the application as soon as possible and speak about the compatibility of the VR training app with experience in real work.

Fortunately, the documentation and scenarios were well prepared so the amendments concerned only minor issues, like the size of the UI or the speed of transport tapes.

Collaboration

Based on the collected materials and independent passage through all workstations, we have prepared scenarios for creating a VR training app. We included all the necessary activities and objects that a potential employee will have to deal with.

We also had to assume what will happen if the employee performs his duties opposite to the instructions. It is important that the result of correct and incorrect actions was always consistent with reality and gave a real idea of what could happen.

Service

The ability to gather appropriate documentation and learn about the nature of work at the sorting plant was crucial for the creation of a realistic training. The customer was fully aware of this. He cared the same way for us to make VR training app an accurate reflection of real work.

Technology stack

Unusual technology

The VR training app has been prepared in Unreal Engine using 3ds Max, Maya, Blender and zBrush.

The main application works on HTC Vive Pro. There is also a version that works on standalone devices – Pico Neo.

Unity - the main tool used by 4Experience