Virtual training tool uses ‘augmented reality’ to aid techs, fleets

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Updated Jul 18, 2019

Design Interactive Virtual Equipment TrainingDesign Interactive Wednesday announced its next step in augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) training solutions for the commercial vehicle space with the introduction of Virtual Equipment Training.

Design Interactive says Virtual Equipment Training is a new capability that used in conjunction with Design Interactive’s Augmentor transportation-focused augmented reality software to allow for the creation and deployment of training materials on virtual vehicles and equipment.

“Virtual Equipment Training gives technicians the ability train even when a vehicle or piece of equipment is not available,” says Matt Johnston, division head of commercial solutions, Design Interactive. “This new capability improves shop productivity because technicians no longer have to waste valuable time waiting for equipment to be available or for suppliers to schedule classroom training. Technicians can train using augmented reality anywhere, anytime using nothing more than the phone already in their pocket.”

Virtual Equipment Training in Design Interactive’s Augmentor enables training to include actual and virtual parts, systems and vehicles in one solution. Additionally, with Augmentor, Design Interactive says training content can be supplied quickly and easily to technicians on mobile devices in addition to HoloLens headsets.

Johnston says Virtual Equipment Training combines the best of virtual and augmented reality technologies in one piece of software.

“With this new capability, suppliers can even test training content for products under development to establish effective and accurate maintenance and repair practices so they are consistently applied, leading to improved compliance and ‘fix it right the first time’ rates,” he says.

Augmentor from Design Interactive also features a new web portal for creating, editing and distributing training modules to Android and iOS mobile devices and HoloLens headsets as quickly as it takes to write and send an email, the company says. With immediate access to updated content, the transportation-focused solution can be deployed effectively across multiple maintenance locations, the company adds.