More and more companies flock to VR as a training tool. UPS is the latest company to do so, as they aim to prepare drivers in virtual reality first and foremost. A new training program will be rolled on in September of 2017. Nine training facilities will offer this program to trainees. Trainees will use voice commands to identify obstacles while immersed in virtual reality. An interesting concept that shows VR is an educational tool first and foremost.
Training Drivers in VR is an Intriguing Concept
Driver safety training can always use new technologies and different ways to tackle this problem all together. More specifically, training drivers is not all that easy. Even for companies such as UPS, a virtual solution makes a more sense than anything else. It allows for the creation of a realistic streetscape to confuse the drivers and test their wits accordingly. After all, VR allows for developers to create any type of circumstance, rather than driving laps on a terrain or hoping for some traffic disturbances in real life.
It is not the first time we see major companies flock to VR for training purposes either. Walmart did the exact same not too long ago. Even the NFL is now training its referees in virtual reality during the off-season. However, there are new challenges in this regard as well. Most training simulations require customized content to achieve proper results That is much easier said than done, as developing such content is rather expensive. For most companies, it is not worth the effort at this stage.
UPS Executive Juan Perez commented on its development as follows:
“Virtual Reality offers a big technological leap in the realm of driver safety training. VR creates a hyper-realistic streetscape that will dazzle even the youngest of our drivers whose previous exposure to the technology was through video games.”
It will be interesting to see how this venture plays out for UPS. Training young drivers in a simulated environment should yield positive results, but nothing is guaranteed at this time.The bigger question is whether or not they can create immersive content to make things look realistic. Additionally,it remains to be seen if this VR program will create proper drivers as well. Simulation is one thing, but driving a UPS truck in real life is something else entirely.
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