Newcastle virtual reality (VR) specialist Luminous Group has developed a new simulation to train workers at a Mexican car factory.
Luminous is now trialling its new software with BRP, which makes a range of products such as snowmobiles, watercraft and off-road vehicles.
The tech firm is using Microsoft’s augmented reality programme Dynamics 365 to help train BRP’s new starters and existing staff.
Dynamics 365 uses Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 augmented reality headset, meaning BRP’s staff receive real-time “how to” guide as they work. This includes instructions and diagrams that explain how to handcraft the vehicles.
The tech has been designed to be as detailed as possible and even includes virtual versions of the tools and machinery available in the factory.
Ben Bennett, Luminous’ managing director, said: “With a global workforce behind them, it’s important that companies like BRP are incredibly efficient with their training and they’ve proved that they’re one step ahead of the game by embracing virtual reality.
“BRP has been a pleasure to work with and their Mexican manufacturing facility are in terrific hands moving forward.”
BRP’s current training scheme sees 20 instructors use traditional methods to teach staff how to build the cars. Using Luminous’ software the company will be able to access analytical data that tracks its workers’ progress, improving efficiency and flagging areas that need improving.
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A spokesperson for BRP’s RAM (Robotics Automation and MIS) department said: “Our products are in high demand and we have even higher expectations of the quality of them. That’s why we need our new and existing staff to be able to adapt to new processes quickly.
“With the help of Luminous Group, we can now continue to provide a new training method that bypasses outdated PowerPoint presentation and textbook studying. It’s a big step forward for us as this will allow us to improve efficiency dramatically.”
Meanwhile Luminous has also been commissioned by the Suffolk Coast & Heaths to create a virtual model of a Martello Tower.
The small defensive forts are common across the South East coast but public access is often limited. Using VR technology Luminous has recreated one of the forts, allowing tourists to explore one of the historic buildings as they would have looked when they were in use.
Luminous has created two versions of the fort, showing what it would have looked like in the Napoleonic era and also during the Second World War, when many of the buildings were used as lookout towers.