XR Training for Industrial Workers: Enhancing Active Learning and Participation

December 6, 2024

XR, a symbiosis of AR, VR, and MR, is used in training for industrial workers and persuades rapid and safe training. They are more likely to remember what they have learned. However, it is alarming that many industries still need to introduce fast-paced innovation to their training systems. Advancing training is not limited to screen sharing, projectors, and desktops. The next-gen technologies are far beyond them.

eLearning has been an old chapter now. It exhibits an online classroom, one-way learning where one person talks while others listen and absorb. It is what onboarding, training, and upskilling at many companies look like today.

Though it has been a huge boon to the training experience, it has numerous challenges. eLearning encourages learning from anywhere but lacks hands-on experiences in real-world scenarios, especially in risky zones. Training programs rely on practical knowledge for real situations, requiring industrial workers to be cognizant of the working circumstances before beginning.

It is where XR training for industrial workers comes into the picture. The global extended reality (XR) market may rise to over US $100 billion in 2026.

XR training includes a versatile learning tool that conquers the limitations of traditional training procedures. By inoculating XR-driven applications in your working systems, it becomes possible for trainers to engage trainees in experiential learning, enhancing skill acquisition.

In this blog post, learn how XR is transforming industrial training, giving umpteen opportunities to workers to practice in different zones.

Comprehending the Effect Of XR in Different Industrial Spaces

XR has already tapped some industries and reached workplace situations and end users. Major businesses profoundly leverage the technology, though the era of widespread customer adoption of XR in daily life is still some way away.

Top key enterprise sectors include manufacturing, construction, energy and transportation, and oil and mining. Though other sectors are on the list, these high-risk industries somehow include eruptive levels, from the design team to frontline workers on a factory floor. Ergo, XR is becoming a robust tool.

For instance, in manufacturing design reviews, VR enables teams to collaborate using digital twins of products. It diminishes the need for physical prototypes, saving resources. It also eradicates the cost of flying executives or products to review sites. VR lets leaders assess the product remotely and virtually.

On the ground level, XR-based training for machinery operators includes remote guidance and immersive training to work cautiously in dangerous environments. Also, XR exposes trainee pilots and drivers to diverse hypothetical scenarios and shows them how to triumphantly maneuver out of such circumstances. It is impossible to build difficult situations in real-life training.

Thus, XR has the potential to land trainees in hazardous situations through VR headsets, helping them tackle such things for better learning.

XR Augmenting Training Programs and Benefiting High-Risk Industries

High-risk industries involve jobs with high accident or injury rates due to their nature. These include military, aerospace, law enforcement, oil and gas, and heavy manufacturing.

Traditional training in these fields often exposes workers to real dangers. For example, more U.S. troops die in training than in combat.

Although automation and remote work reduce some risks, the problem persists. It is where extended reality (XR) helps. XR allows safer, modern training, enabling workers to learn without physical harm.

XR is transforming training programs, making them safer and more effective. Below is a quick primer on how XR reshapes the high-risk training industry.

Significant Perks of XR Training Programs

XR, especially VR, has revolutionized training. It digitally simulates real environments, allowing realistic virtual training. Research shows simulation training is as effective as in-person learning. Trainees can practice skills in VR as they would physically.

XR training benefits high-risk sectors, such as:

• Improved Safety

XR enhances safety by accurately replicating real-world environments. Trainees can practice skills like law enforcement or emergency response without physical danger. It exposes them to hazardous scenarios, especially for first responders, and allows safe skill testing.

• Shorter Learning Curve

XR training is faster. Immersive simulations engage multiple senses, speeding up learning. One trainer can reduce training time by 95%. It leads to more efficient training, reduced costs, and higher value.

• Greater Productivity

VR training improves reaction times, knowledge retention, and skill application. It reduces errors, boosts accuracy, and cuts operational costs. XR increases workforce productivity, contributing directly to your bottom line.

• Cost-Effective

XR training is cost-effective. It’s quicker to set up and customize. VR simulations reduce the need for expensive real-life training environments and equipment damage. The resulting productivity improvements lead to savings over traditional training methods.

Examples of XR Training in High-Risk Industries

XR training for high-risk industries for industrial training aXR is widely used across industries:

• Firefighters: VR eliminates injury risks, allowing dynamic training scenarios to test reactions.
• Military: The U.S. Air Force trains B-52 pilots in VR to familiarize them with controls and procedures, reducing risk to pilots and planes.
• Oil & Gas: VR helps train workers in hazardous environments, reinforcing safety protocols.

Best Practices for Implementing XR Training

To implement XR training, start by gathering employee feedback on XR technology. Assess comfort levels and consider their input. 

Consider your budget. Older technology may be more cost-effective than the latest models if it meets your needs.

Integrate XR training with existing programs. Combine eLearning with risk-free practice. Gather feedback on effectiveness and keep the program updated for optimal ROI.

Top Industries Utilizing XR Training Applications

XR training is rapidly transforming various industries by improving skill acquisition and proficiency. In food manufacturing, XR training enhances employee competence in equipment operation, maintenance, and quality control. In healthcare, XR simulations allow surgeons to practice surgeries and medical students to learn techniques in a risk-free environment.

• XR Training in the Food Manufacturing Industry

XR training supports safety and quality standards in the food manufacturing industry by providing realistic simulations for equipment operation, food handling, and hazard recognition. Employees can practice machinery operation, simulate safety protocols, and train for emergency response, ensuring compliance and effective decision-making.

• Equipment Operation and Maintenance

XR training helps employees learn to operate and maintain complex food processing equipment. Virtual simulations allow them to troubleshoot, practice assembly, and familiarize themselves with control panels, reducing training costs and minimizing equipment damage risks.

• Quality Control and Inspections

XR training for the food manufacturing industry simulates inspection scenarios to improve employees’ ability to detect defects, follow quality control protocols, and understand inspection criteria. This immersive approach boosts inspection accuracy, enhancing product quality and reducing waste.

• Food Hygiene

XR apps enhance the industry’s food safety and hygiene. It replaces manual audits with hands-free, real-time swab data overlaid on a digital twin of the facility. The app guides users to the correct locations and implements cleaning processes when pathogens are detected.

• Market Research

XR enables market research and testing in the food sector. XR training allows trainees to design and test holographic rice cake variations, improving product development.

• Designing & Visualizing New Equipment

XR tools like HoloLens 2 let engineers visualize new equipment in a factory at full scale, aiding in site planning and potential clash detection.

• XR for Healthcare

XR training allows medical professionals to practice complex procedures safely, improving surgical skills, diagnostic accuracy, and patient outcomes. It offers immersive simulations for surgeons and medical students, refining techniques and fostering confidence.

• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

XR takes on diagnostic and therapeutic tasks and supports medical trainees in performing physical exams and conducting procedures with AR guidance. It aids in precise actions like needle insertions and catheter placements.

• Surgical Training

With the help of XR, surgeons can refine techniques, improve agility, and simulate rare or complex surgeries. It leads to better adaptability, enhanced patient outcomes, and safer surgeries.

• Energy Sector

The energy sector uses XR training to improve safety and efficiency, particularly in the oil and gas industry. XR enables operators to train safely, build muscle memory, and reduce on-site training time. For example, app development company RichestSoft’s XR training applications cut operator training time from 3 months to 6 months, resulting in faster competency and significant cost savings.

• Process-Based Training

Process-based training involves following a set of linear steps to complete tasks, such as assembling machinery, following safety procedures, or performing maintenance. VR offers even greater value for functions that are hard to practice in real life due to equipment availability, safety risks, or high costs.

• Interactive Knowledge-Based Training

This type of training involves users exploring virtual simulations of real-world objects and learning general knowledge rather than specific processes. For example, a virtual refinery environment allows users to interact with equipment, view videos, and explore various information points at their own pace.

• Training for Plant Shutdowns

Plant shutdowns are rare but require careful planning. VR allows users to rehearse the shutdown process, ensuring it goes smoothly with minimal delays when the real shutdown occurs. Since delays can be costly, VR training can easily justify its cost by saving time during operation.

• XR Training for Manufacturing

Extended Reality (XR) offers innovative tools that can transform the construction industry by modernizing processes and addressing challenges.

• 3D Modelling and Design

XR enhances design by creating realistic digital models of construction projects. Virtual site walkthroughs allow for early detection of issues, reducing costly changes later in the project.

• Client Relationship Management

XR enables clients to experience a virtual version of the finished project before construction begins. It helps clarify expectations, make adjustments early, and align visions more accurately.

• Training

XR fosters better communication and collaboration in construction teams by providing detailed visualizations and updates, even for those unable to visit the site regularly.

• Maintenance and Inspection

XR improves collaboration by providing virtual site updates and allowing team members to stay informed, even from a distance, improving project communication and efficiency.

How Do Industries Implement XR Training?

Businesses want XR (Extended Reality) to be easy and smooth to integrate. So, what should an XR platform bring to the table? Every training scenario is unique, but the best XR training platform should include features that make learning effortless for everyone:

• Multi-User Functionality: Let people from anywhere in the world connect, learn, and collaborate in real-time, all in the same virtual space.
• Scenario Randomization: Offer users a lifetime of real-world situations in just a few hours of training.
• Real-Time Feedback: Provide instant scoring and feedback with SCORM-compliant analytics so learners can reflect on their experience while it’s fresh.
• Global Scalability: Ensure that your VR, AR, and MR content can easily expand to any location, adapting to your business wherever it goes.
• Content Management Made Easy: A platform that simplifies using different types of XR content, eliminating the usual headaches.
• Seamless Delivery: Push content to headsets without heavy IT support, creating a smooth, hassle-free user experience.

It shines when XR training is designed with lasting value and a superior user experience. Remember, the success of your XR training depends on the application you use to deliver it.

Shaping the Future of Industrial Training with XR

Like the introduction of the internet, XR and metaverse development are the stepping stones to ease complex concepts. They will revolutionize industrial training in the next few years. Here’s how:

• Learning by Doing

XR will make training more interactive and engaging using gamified, real-time simulations. Trainees can practice actions within a virtual environment, seeing the real-world consequences of their decisions. This hands-on experience through gamification and AI applications will improve engagement, retention, and training outcomes.

• Multi-Person Learning

XR will allow remote collaboration among teams across different locations. Control room operators, field staff, and maintenance crews can learn and work together in real-time, sharing data and solutions without time lag. This will foster team communication and improve overall decision-making.

• No Plant Downtime

XR will enable training during plant construction so teams can be ready as soon as the plant opens. Workers can learn to operate and collaborate in a simulated environment, preventing costly delays when the plant becomes operational.

• Cost Savings

By using XR simulations, companies can reduce training costs by 30-40%, cut recovery times from shutdowns by 15-20%, and lower maintenance budgets by 1-3%. XR will also help optimize plant processes, improving efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings.

• Wearables for Real-Time Data

Wearables will replace traditional screens, allowing trainees to see and interact with live data in 3D. This immersive technology will enable trainees to connect with others and view multiple complex data streams simultaneously, revolutionizing how industrial training is experienced.

Summing Up

XR for industrial workers has caused ripples throughout the global job market. This immersive digital innovation is at the initial stages of uptake, giving you ample time to adjust before witnessing widespread effects.

XR training is beneficial for different learning styles. Instructors or mentors guide individuals or teams through the virtual landscape, collaborating remotely across continents or in the same room. Industrial workers can practice independently within the immersive environment and download modules to learn conveniently.

Drive Workers’ Effective Participation and Involvement with Robust XR Training Applications!

The XR app development maestros at RichestSoft have experience in building and launching applications that reshape immersive scenarios for a better tomorrow. Want to upgrade your training systems? Let’s Talk!