WORKING WITH VALVES – VR

The client comes from Singapore. They are promoters of innovative technologies and designs, and they popularize solutions in the fields of VR and AR. The client takes particular interest in training and safety – that’s why their VR training simulator teaches how to close and secure valves of complex industrial equipment.

Client

NDA

Sector

Innovative technologies

Services

VR training simulator

3ds Max

Technology

HTC Vive

Unity 3D

Visual results video

Challenge

Make work flow easily and prevent dangerous situations

The client needed a VR training simulator that would clearly show and teach their employees what the work of securing valves for specific industrial equipment should look like.

In addition, VR training was to show dangerous situations that can happen when we skip or neglect important procedures. The client wanted the app’s environment not to be too distracting – it was to contain only the most important elements, specific to the workplace described by the client.

Another request was that there should be appropriate badges and safety equipment on the table and that the app should verify whether a given person knows the order in which to close and secure the valves of the device in order to avoid an accident (explosion).

Process and project scope

Scope

We designed a 3D environment that can be navigated with the controller. It features only the elements essential for the training. The user can find appropriate closures and badges on the table. There are also boilers, pipes, valves and other machines. All steps must be taken in the correct order to avoid an accident.

If all the steps are done correctly, the training is successful. Otherwise, a boiler explosion occurs, which means failure and danger to life. Fortunately, the VR training simulator is safe and allows users to repeat their actions as often as they need, whenever and wherever they want.

Process

We designed the application for HTC Vive devices. Controllers are very important in VR training simulators, as there is a need to simulate manual activities. However, we did not need to reflect an actual workplace, so we chose reference places that suited the client, and then prepared simple models. The client did not require them to be realistic, though. The most important thing was to program the app’s scenario provided by the client.

Collaboration

The first few meetings with the client focused on creating the app’s scenario and selecting reference graphics for the location. The client had their own VR device , so they were able to test new features on an ongoing basis and submit comments. Thanks to the use of agile working methods, it was possible to deliver the application very quickly, and frequent tests allowed us to implement the required changes in the blink of an eye.

Business value

Providing VR-based convenience and improving safety

VR training applications are a great convenience in the context of specialist training. They can be used at any time, anywhere, and it is possible to repeat the training many times. This, in turn, means big savings for the client in the long run.

In addition, performing activities in VR in a logical and correct way, in accordance with the instructions, allows users to develop good habits they can later transfer to real-life situations. It is also easy to guess that in the case of traditional training we would not be able to simulate an explosion which may be the result of negligence in following the procedures. However, there are no such restrictions in the virtual world of the application.

The employees will thus be able to better understand the consequences of erroneous activities that can put in danger not only their own lives but also the lives of other people around them.

Technology stack

Vive la valve!

The application was designed using Unity 3D engine and works on HTC Vive devices. Both the simple models and the more complex ones were made in 3ds Max.

Unity - the main tool used by 4Experience