Development of practical vocational training class making use of virtual reality-based simulation system and augmented reality technologies

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) refers to the technologies creating a virtual environment to provide users a sensory simulation of the environment being presented. In Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), we are in the process of developing a VR-based simulation system having four screens surrounding users to simulate an immersive environment. This application is commonly known as the cave automatic virtual environment (CAVE). The objective of our VR-based simulation system project is to apply the virtual reality and the augmented reality (AR) technologies for practical training in vocational education and training (VET). Our system is used for various training programs in the engineering areas. These include simulation of any workspaces for operations and maintenance training in electrical and mechanical services. Workspace training is important and beneficial to VET students in addition to practical training in school settings. Meanwhile, some workspaces are full of danger and severe casualty can be resulted if inappropriate operations are performed. Our VRbased simulation system manages to provide a solution to complement the shortfalls of workplace training and ensure that students can acquire a range of skills including safety operations under various environments. In this paper, we introduce our design of a class making use of the CAVE system and augmented reality technology. The class aims at providing training for VET students to perform inspection and maintenance procedures in a virtual engine plant room. The class was found to be educational and managed to promote the skill development among students.