Spotlights
February 18, 2019
RiVR trains firefighters with scans of real equipment in VR scenarios
UK-based Reality in Virtual Reality wants to revolutionize training for emergency services, giving trainees the opportunity to learn effectively and safely in VR.
UK company Reality in Virtual Reality (RiVR) is taking virtual reality to the next level by creating room-scale VR training environments for emergency services. RiVR, with a background in video games, is in an excellent position to create compelling and immersive VR experiences that make a difference.
RiVR is currently focused on training fire investigators using photoreal scans from RealityScan. The advantage of VR being used as a method of training, says Alex Harvey, Creative Director at RiVR, is that it makes training far more effective than traditional methods, and also safer and more cost-effective.
“In VR, your brain is much more receptive to what is happening around you and interactions are more realistic," he says. "VR is scalable, so in addition to being an incredibly powerful training tool, it provides significant costs savings, crucial when budgets are under pressure.”
RiVR is currently focused on training fire investigators using photoreal scans from RealityScan. The advantage of VR being used as a method of training, says Alex Harvey, Creative Director at RiVR, is that it makes training far more effective than traditional methods, and also safer and more cost-effective.
“In VR, your brain is much more receptive to what is happening around you and interactions are more realistic," he says. "VR is scalable, so in addition to being an incredibly powerful training tool, it provides significant costs savings, crucial when budgets are under pressure.”
The idea to focus on training for emergency services came when the RiVR team met Paul Speight from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue at the UK Emergency Service show in 2016, where Speight was showcasing his VR 360° road safety films. A year later, RiVR had a number of demos to show at the Emergency Services Show at the NEC in the UK.
Beyond their close cooperation with fire services in the UK, RiVR is also working with the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) and the military in the UK to create suitable VR training programs.
With the cooperation of the Leicester Fire and Rescue team, RiVR took several research trips to various locations to capture both interior and exterior environments, and ultimately took approximately 1,150 photos. Separate objects such as fire trucks and rescue equipment were later merged into the environment in post-production.
Beyond their close cooperation with fire services in the UK, RiVR is also working with the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) and the military in the UK to create suitable VR training programs.
Workflow: fire investigators' VR training
With the cooperation of the Leicester Fire and Rescue team, RiVR took several research trips to various locations to capture both interior and exterior environments, and ultimately took approximately 1,150 photos. Separate objects such as fire trucks and rescue equipment were later merged into the environment in post-production.
The reconstruction of the scene in RealityScan was first done with normal settings. Once the object file and textures were complete, 3D modeling software was used to optimize the mesh. Then the environment was imported to RiVR's software engine where the navigation points, interactive objects, and an audio soundscape were added to create a truly immersive VR experience.
The main environment took a few hours to process in RealityScan. Refining and optimizing the environment to work within a virtual environment using HTC Vive took much longer.
Harvey says that the ability to bring the environments into VR in hours rather than weeks was a game changer. "RealityScan not only gives us an environment quicker, it's so easy to use and requires just one person, rather than an entire team," he says. "The results are of such high quality and detail, it’s photorealistic without that artificial look of a created asset.”
The main environment took a few hours to process in RealityScan. Refining and optimizing the environment to work within a virtual environment using HTC Vive took much longer.
Harvey says that the ability to bring the environments into VR in hours rather than weeks was a game changer. "RealityScan not only gives us an environment quicker, it's so easy to use and requires just one person, rather than an entire team," he says. "The results are of such high quality and detail, it’s photorealistic without that artificial look of a created asset.”
What gives the scene the real-life feeling is that each item in the room can be picked up, moved, and examined as it would be in real world. Each item is in the exact position it would be in during live training. While the trainee is performing the investigation, they are simultaneously being assessed by qualified trainer.
By using VR for training, the trainee can safely investigate the environment and make mistakes without incurring bodily risk. As each scenario can be restarted as many times as needed, the trainee can practice following protocols, avoiding hazardous areas, and dealing with rare but dangerous situations.
Dutch company Manus VR provided RiVR with Manus VR gloves for picking up physical objects in the virtual world. Being able to pick up real-world objects helps muscle memory because the participant can feel the real weight of the object in their hands during virtual training.
By using VR for training, the trainee can safely investigate the environment and make mistakes without incurring bodily risk. As each scenario can be restarted as many times as needed, the trainee can practice following protocols, avoiding hazardous areas, and dealing with rare but dangerous situations.
Dutch company Manus VR provided RiVR with Manus VR gloves for picking up physical objects in the virtual world. Being able to pick up real-world objects helps muscle memory because the participant can feel the real weight of the object in their hands during virtual training.
Goals for emergency services and VR
Ben Hermer, Director at RiVR, says the company wants to revolutionize training for emergency services, giving trainees the opportunity to learn and practice in realistic virtual locations effectively and safely.
"We really believe in VR, and feel that it's the future for training for all industries," he says. "The benefits and immersive nature of photorealistic training, the reduction in costs, and the high accessibility gives VR training a huge advantages over traditional training.”
About RiVR
Reality in Virtual Reality is a leading developer of photorealistic virtual reality experiences. The multi-discipline team is comprised of leaders from various sectors such as training professionals, AAA game developers, ex-police staff, camera experts, and VR technologists.
Download RealityScan
RealityScan is free to use for students, educators, and individuals and companies with an annual gross revenue below $1 million USD.Above the $1M threshold? Visit our licensing page to find out about your purchasing options.
Download the launcher
Before you can install and run RealityScan, you’ll need to download and install the Epic Games launcher.
Install Epic Games Launcher
Once downloaded and installed, open the launcher and create or log in to your Epic Games account.
Having trouble? Get support, or restart your Epic Games launcher download in Step 1.
Install RealityScan
Once logged in, navigate to the RealityScan tab in the Unreal Engine section and click the install button to download the most recent version.