GE0-806 reality - GCP8-System Consultant, Genesys WFM Updated: 2023

• By Peter Richmond
• System Integration

Summary

Making training more immersive and meaningful

By Peter Richmond

Immersive technology advancements extend far beyond commercial and consumer use cases, having the potential to transform complicated industrial content into vivid, realistic experiences. As part of this wave of immersive technology, virtual reality (VR) training has been used for many years with excellent results in all aspects of workforce training to train astronauts, pilots, and military personnel.

Advances in computer and graphical processing capabilities have made creating these virtual worlds more affordable and accessible to a broader range of process industries. Now, industries like oil and gas, refining, and power generation that need to preserve and institutionalize their workforce knowledge and effectively sustain operational excellence, have turned to VR models to assist with on-the-job training for a range of critical functions and tasks. Developments in this sector are only going to increase in the future, so it is important to explore why and how VR implementations will continue to take shape in these industries.

How is VR used?

One of the main objectives of simulation-based training is to reduce the time to competency and to transfer a high level of skill, plant knowledge, and situational awareness to each member of the team as efficiently as possible. Immersive training systems (ITS) using VR technology put employees at the heart of proceedings to acquire and practice essential plant operation and maintenance skills. By setting aside the manuals and information sheets, trainees also stand a better chance of retaining information.

Early adopters of VR training are applying ITS in a wide range of applications and across industries. The technology is incredibly scalable and can provide training value for anything from a single piece of equipment using interactive three-dimensional techniques to an entire virtual plant with a virtual control room and high-fidelity dynamic process simulation. Additionally, the same 3D model can be deployed in several ways depending on the overall training department requirements. For instance, a complete ITS system deployed with a control room human-machine interface and CAVE for the field operations can also be deployed as a classroom-style application. Elements of the same model can also be accessed on mobile devices from a private cloud server or public cloud service, depending on user preferences.

Realistic and tightly engineered virtual training environments allow trainees to become familiar with plants and their operation well before they even step foot in the plant. In a VR-based training or design environment, users interact with the virtual worlds using a variety of hardware devices, such as joysticks and data gloves. Special optical and audio devices, such as head-mounted displays, 3D graphics, and surround sound, deliver users an enhanced impression of being in the virtual world. Because simulation software and immersive technology have a game-like feel, which appeals to the millennial generation, it will connect younger workers with the information they need via a familiar medium.

Multiple learning pathways

VR has several strengths that make it a natural fit for training. It is immersive, interactive, memorable, scalable, and cost effective. The significant advantage of simulation-based training is that important training and knowledge can be delivered in a consistent, repeatable manner within the safety of the training facility. Plants are by nature dangerous environments that are in stable operation, making it difficult to train on real plant interactions, particularly when it comes to emergency preparedness. A range of courses that covers every aspect of standard operating procedures for both normal and abnormal plant conditions allows training and assessment of operators in the safe and controlled environment of the classroom, providing the freedom to fail without risk. When workers are better trained, there are fewer accidents, injury-related costs, and production delays-and a better safety record translates into less risk and lower insurance costs.

Finally, investment in immersive training systems applied early in the life cycle can help maximize the return on investment. For complex maintenance tasks, machines can perpetually be taken apart and rebuilt in a virtual environment without fear of wearing down real parts. And because trainees can train from any location that allows a computer connection-as opposed to jetting off to a life-size simulator-time and travel expenses can also be saved. For instance, upstream facilities, such as offshore platforms or float production storage and offloading, can enable training and precommissioning to engineers and operators before they are helicoptered to the real asset. The design of these assets is often dense and complex, including space and weight restrictions that challenge operators to locate and navigate to the correct equipment. Not only are workers protected by the use of VR, but sensitive and expensive equipment is protected as well, as operators learn to interact with it in virtual crisis conditions.

---

The future is virtual

In the digital age, plants will only continue to get smarter, and training practices need to be just as smart. VR technology, now both affordable and functional in its ability to create complex challenges that require adaptive thinking and application, is the perfect training tool for this new digital age.

According to the Worldwide Semiannual Augmented and Virtual Reality Spending Guide from International Data Corporation, worldwide revenues for the augmented reality (AR) and VR market are forecast to increase by 100 percent or more over each of the next four years. Total spending on AR/VR products and services is expected to soar from $11.4 billion in 2017 to nearly $215 billion in 2021.

The projected increase in spending forecasts companies' willingness to provide employees with these virtual modalities for learning new skills.

Virtual reality is going to be ubiquitous in industrial training, and the result will be more efficient, engaging, and safer training. However, wide adoption of immersive technology requires collaboration among industrial companies, and VR technology providers must make sure the technology meets the training and safety needs of each industry.

---

Virtual reality is a fascinating way to travel using nothing more than the power of technology. With a headset and motion-tracking technology, VR lets you look around a virtual space as if you're actually there, or play a game as though you're in it.

Unless you're prepared to wait until next for Apple's AR/VR headset, the Vision Pro, these are the top headsets you can buy right now. Read on for our picks, followed by everything you need to know about VR to make a wise purchase.

---

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Buying Guide: The Best VR Headsets for 2023

Which VR Headset Is the Best?

Modern VR headsets now fit under one of two categories: tethered or standalone. Tethered headsets, such as the HTC Vive Pro 2, PlayStation VR, and Valve Index are physically connected to PCs (or in the case of the PS VR and PS VR 2, a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5). Their cables makes them a bit unwieldy, but putting all of the video processing in a box that you don't need to directly strap to your face means your VR experience can be a lot more complex. Either external sensors or outward-facing cameras provide full 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) movement tracking for both your head and your hands, thanks to motion-sensing controllers.

The least expensive tethered options are currently around $400, and that's before you address the processing issue; the HP Reverb G2, Valve Index, and Vive Pro 2 need powerful PCs to run, while the PS VR requires a PlayStation 4 and the PS VR2 requires a PlayStation 5.

Standalone headsets offer the greatest physical freedom by completely removing the cables and not requiring an external device to handle processing. The Meta Quest 2, Quest Pro, and Quest 3 use similar outward-facing cameras to the now-discontinued Oculus Rift S to provide 6DOF motion tracking, and similar 6DOF motion controls. They lack a dedicated gaming PC's processing power on their own, but their high-end mobile processors (especially the Quest Pro's Snapdragon XR2+) push detailed, smooth graphics. They also support PC-tethered VR with an optional cable.

Apple Vision Pro (Credit: Apple)

There's one more major headset to look forward to further down the line. Apple is preparing to launch the Vision Pro, a $3,500 AR/VR headset scheduled to come out early next year. It seems technically impressive, with at least iPad Pro-level hardware and features like eye-tracking and iris-scanning. It's really expensive, though, and whether or not developers support it is a big question mark.

---

Meta emphasizes that the Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro are all devices for its "metaverse," which is still fairly ill-defined apart from a few specific apps under the Meta Horizon name. It remains a vague concept, but the Quest headsets are the best jumping-off points for exploring the company's vision. Our metaverse guide will help you understand what's happening, based on the few hard details.

Meta's vision of the metaverse hasn't really panned out, and the aforementioned Horizon Worlds app is a ghost town. On the other hand, platforms and games that don't call themselves metaverse like Roblox and VRChat have effectively become popular multimedia experiences crafted and curated by users. You can also use them outside of VR.

---

The Best Augmented Reality (AR) Headsets

You might have seen other headsets pop up over the last few years, including the Microsoft HoloLens and the Magic Leap One. They aren't on this list for a few reasons, but the biggest one is that they're augmented reality (AR) headsets, not virtual reality headsets. And yes, there's a difference.

Basically, these AR headsets have transparent lenses that let you look at your surroundings instead of completely replacing your vision with a computer-generated image. They project images over whatever you're looking at, but those images are designed to complement and interact with the area around you. You can make a web browser pop up in the middle of a room, for instance, or watch animals run around your coffee table. It's fascinating technology that could hint at the future of computing.

The emphasis here is on the future, as in several years away. That brings us to the second biggest reason the HoloLens and Magic Leap One aren't in this list: They aren't consumer products. Both devices are purely intended as development hardware, so AR software can be made for their platforms. Considering each headset costs several thousand dollars, you shouldn't expect a large library of AR experiences for a while. Outside of specific enterprise and education uses, AR headsets are an early adopter playground at best, and not for most people.

With that in mind, we'll continue to track the best new VR headsets as they are released, so make sure to check back soon for updates. And after you find the right headset, check out our list of the best VR games.