Creation of Interactive Virtual Reality Scenarios as a Training and Education Tool

Peter S. Excell,Rinat R. Nasyrov

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-42097-0_19

Abstract

A novel approach to the creation of realistic training scenarios for safety-critical industrial applications is presented. This is based on virtual reality techniques but extended by the incorporation of a range of options for interactivity, which permit the trainee to take actions in realistic ways in the simulated environment. These actions may include potentially dangerous errors, with realistic consequences simulated, but in complete safety. Any real environment may be simulated both visually and functionally in the virtual environment. An innovative feature is the use of virtual buttons displayed on the image of the user’s hand, thus avoiding the need for accessories such as haptic gloves. The system enables trainee specialists to gain realistic operational experience without the anxieties of causing damage in a real environment, but it is also relevant to a wide range of applications where rich interactivity is needed.

Highlights

It is probable that the majority of uses of modern Virtual Reality (VR) technologies are for entertainment
Emergency scenarios need to start in the same way as regular training but there will be the insertion of an emergency at a time and of a nature that must be unpredictable to the trainee, who has to take correct decisions as fast as possible [4]
The functional preparation mode consists of environment preparation: the equipment models are created, connection diagrams loaded and training scenarios are recorded in the corresponding databases on the server

Summary

19.1 Introduction

It is probable that the majority of uses of modern Virtual Reality (VR) technologies are for entertainment. VR technologies routinely allow people working in safety-critical industries to undergo training in a realistic environment, without the risk of hazards such as injury or equipment damage. Electrical power distribution is an example of a major safety-critical industry and a need arose to create a virtual training simulator for power substation operators, who have to be ready to react. The target need arose from an approach by the Russian power industry, for which over 30% of faults and blackouts have historically been caused by errors during switching [1] and the improvement of operators’ training is a priority: it is probable that the situations in other industries and in other industrialized countries will show significant similarities

19.2 Limitations of Current Two-Dimensional Simulators

19.3 Three-Dimensional Approaches to Scenario Simulation

19.3.2 Modelling Requirements for Appropriate Environments

19.3.3 Scenarios of Training

19.4 Implementation of Virtual Reality Simulator

19.5 Technical Description of the Simulator

19.6.1 Functional Simulations and Graphics Engine

19.6.2 Operating Modes

19.7 Creation of Scenarios

Findings

19.8 Outcomes and Conclusions