SAFETY FIRST AND FOREMOST!

Strabag is a European technology group for construction services, a leader in innovation and financial strength. The company’s services span over all areas of the construction industry and cover the entire construction value chain. Over the years, they have grown into one of Europe’s largest construction companies.

Client

STRABAG

Sector

High-risk occupations

Safety

Services

VR simulation development

Technology

HTC Vive

Unity 3D

Visual results video

Business value

Reaching the heights of efficiency and safety

The final product is a VR safety training app running on Windows, intended for employees performing work at a height. It allows them to freely interact with the virtual environment. Through narrative and tips, it indicates correct behavioral patterns – from preparations for work to moving around the workplace safely. The scenarios implemented also show the negative results of negligence.

The application complements theoretical training and allows employees to test their knowledge in a realistic environment. It can be run many times in order to consolidate good practice. Thanks to the lifelike representation of the workplace, it is also possible to check how a given employee would behave in a specific environment or situation.

It is also vital that this type of VR safety training app is future-proof. Why? Well, it can be used in other high-risk industries and professions, where it is difficult to act out realistic situations that involve potential risks in the workplace.

Challenge

Safety first and foremost!

The client needed a short VR safety training app and video illustrating work in high-risk professions. The project was aimed at supplementing occupational safety and health training related to work at a height – as a translation of theory into practice. Previously, employees needed access to a place where they could practice behavioral models. In the case of VR, however, the VR safety training itself is enough and the actual place does not matter, as the app features everything we need.

The client also wanted us to recreate dangerous situations that may occur during work. The VR safety training app was intended to provide a safe and controlled environment, teaching good practice and incorporating multiple scripts, so that users could better remember the activities they need to perform.

Process and project scope

Scope

The VR safety training app makes it simple and easy to understand which elements of clothing are important to employees and what they should bear in mind while doing their job.

Specialized clothing and tools, typical architectural elements and buildings as well as security systems are all included in the training app. An individual who is familiar with such elements will find his or her way in a workplace much faster, while not forgetting the most important steps to be taken when working.

Process

We used the kanban board containing all required elements of the VR safety training app’s scenario. After making sure that the team understood the tasks, the development and modeling stages followed. The work was carried out in weekly sprints, in accordance with Agile methodology.

Collaboration

Our job was to create a scenario that would take into account specific activities that the employees should perform, as well as those that could potentially threaten their lives. Then we had to come up with a way to show the results of both correct and incorrect decisions. Finally, we developed a suitable 3D environment.

Technology stack

A professional-grade OSH training app for HTC Vive

We have developed the application using Unity 3D technology, optimizing it for use on HTC Vive devices. Apart from that, we also used a ZED camera to record an instructional video on the app’s operation (mixing virtual environment with real-life footage of an actual employee).

Tech stack for VR/AR project at 4Experience