Fully immersive virtual reality training – Matrix-style. The coolest ever Jaguar Virtual Reality (VR) simulator. Those were some of the boundary breaking technologies discussed at last week’s annual D2N2 Digital Conference & Expo 19 in Nottingham (#DGPConf19). The aim of the event was to improve competitiveness of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire companies by creating awareness of leading-edge technologies.
Keynote speaker, Design, Technology and Innovation Consultant, Dean Johnson (@activrightbrain), talked about Virtual Reality (VR). But not the level of VR most may have experienced, i.e. putting on a pair of goggles for gaming or entertainment purposes. Instead Dean talked about “pushing boundaries” and the application of VR in training. When people physically execute a task, whether in real life or in a virtual reality world, they tend to retain 80% of the learning. If they receive the same information in written form, only 10% is retained.
DHL is an example of a company already testing the use of VR in this way. Their Cargo Loading VR Simulation is a global VR platform, training staff to pack goods in a way that optimises the utilisation of space. That translates into lower operating costs for DHL. The platform has an element of gamification built in, which enhances employee engagement. The data that is collected through the platform allows DHL to understand the training experiences of their staff and leverage those insights for further skills development.
One difference between the virtual and the real worlds is that while things may look real in the virtual world, once you try to touch them you realise they aren’t. But now even that boundary is being pushed. Dean showed us a fully immersive body suit (picture above) which allows you to physically experience the virtual reality world. So, when you touch a virtual object, electric pulses transmitted through the suit allow you to actually feel it.
That sounds an awful lot like the Matrix to me. It also sounds like a blurring of the boundaries between training and real life experience. With this technology staff could become fully proficient in performing tasks they have never actually performed before… mind-blowing!
Sure, the technology is cool, but Dean warned against implementing VR just for the sake of it. There needs to be a strong business case for VR and it needs to be relevant to your audience. If VR does not add genuine value, don’t implement it. When it comes to the experience of driving a new car, for example, Jaguar proved that nothing beats the real thing. Watch this Jaguar VR simulator clip – it’s funny and makes the point so well!
At Procurement Cube we believe that to truly understand the potential for technology to transform your business, you need to develop and nurture relationships with leading suppliers. There can be real competitive advantages associated with becoming a “preferred client”. Business growth can be phenomenal when the right technology is leveraged in the right way. Deliveroo, for example, achieved 107,117% growth over four years, based on a mix of appropriate technology and an innovative business model.
If you’d like to discuss how Procurement Cube could help you derive maximum benefit from your technology spend, book a free call with me, using the form below.
