Train safely in a virtual world

Virtual reality (VR) technology that improves workplace training safety was showcased at the Melbourne Knowledge Week event this month.

Developed by Melbourne Water and Deakin University, the technology allows users to interact with one another in the same virtual space from anywhere in the world.

The platform has been purpose-built for Melbourne Water to allow its technicians to safely conduct training on the management of highly toxic chemicals, without the inherent safety risks.

Scott McMillan, Melbourne Water’s Safety Manager for Technology and Innovation, said the VR technology had several applications.

“We are using virtual reality to change the way we train technicians and eliminate safety risks,” he said.

“The platform is initially being used to train staff on management of ozone, a dangerous chemical used in the wastewater treatment process. Ozone is 10 times more deadly than chlorine, so this platform allows our technicians to learn without being exposed to those risks.

“In the same way that trainee pilots use flight simulators to eliminate risks associated with aircraft, we are training for hazardous chemical management without the chemicals, thanks to VR.”

The dual user system means the training can be conducted anytime, anywhere — the trainer and the trainee never have to be in the same physical location.

“Just like Keanu Reeves learnt Kung Fu in The Matrix, our technicians can now learn everything necessary for a given task in an entirely virtual world,” said McMillan.

Associate Professor Ben Horan from Deakin University’s VR Laboratory said the new VR system created a unique 3D experience for multiple users at once.

“We have built a solution to connect people who need to learn a critical task with those able to teach it, no matter where they are,” he said.

“Multiple users can walk around in the same virtual environment and communicate with each other verbally and physically, just as you would in the real world.

“The potential application for this ‘on location’ technology for people living and working in regional and remote locations is massive. For example, we currently have representatives from Australian’s Antarctic mission looking at the platform in order to train technicians based at the Antarctic station without the trainers ever leaving their Australian office.”