3D visualization technology bridges the gaps for workplace safety training—invitation to experience application of technology designed to help keep workers safe
CALGARY, May 28, 2012 /CNW/ - Safety training is one of the most important indicators of success for Canadian companies wishing to keep their employees and contractors safe both here and abroad. Communicating safety policies in today's workplace can be tricky; what one person considers safe and acceptable behaviour may be entirely different from another. Gaps may form based on a worker's comfort with English, his or her cultural and industry experience, education level and not surprisingly, age. Advancements in 3D visualization technology allow companies to bridge the gap by enabling employees to learn acceptable behavior and practices in a safe and controlled virtual environment.
Calgary-based Dynamic Vision is a global leader in supplying 3D visualization content to companies looking to use new and emerging technologies to adapt their training to meet the needs of today's workforces. At its core, Dynamic Vision focuses on developing 3D animations and interactive simulations. These visual aids are ideal when helping companies communicate hard-to-see processes, demonstrate equipment operations or communicate safety training and maintenance procedures. One project Dynamic Vision completed was an application that demonstrated the impact of incorrectly calculating a fall distance for fall safety protection training. Steve Zurakowski, the company's President and Animation Director says, "There are several formulas required to calculate a safe fall clearance. They can be very difficult for individuals to understand, especially where language and mathematic skills are a concern. Our goal was to provide an interactive toolkit that used 3D-simulated characters to illustrate the cause-and-effect results of the student's calculations in real time."
Dynamic Vision continues to extend its visualization services through new technologies, most recently 3D immersive animations. This creates a powerful visualization experience that allows users to 'immerse' themselves in a 3D virtual environment. Using a head-mounted display or polarized 3D glasses, participants become part of a three-dimensional world where they can explore and interact with their surroundings in real time. An open house celebrating the launch of 3D immersive studios in Calgary allows select companies to demo the technology and view applications for safety training.
"The world of immersive 3D technology isn't really that new. It began to evolve in the early 80s as Virtual Reality and was perceived as the 'be-all' medium for training and social interaction applications. It was extremely expensive to develop and deploy - only niche markets like the military, aviation and research facilities could afford to use this platform," says Zurakowski. "With major advancements in hardware and software performance in the past decade, standard desktops and laptops have never been more powerful or affordable. We can now offer immersive 3D solutions as an alternative visualization experience to our client base. Something that wasn't feasible before."
Cognitive learning styles have changed in today's gaming generation. Zurakowski said, "These individuals see technology as a friend versus foe. Laptops, tablets and smart phones are the standard arsenal for most students. Offering a 'hands-on' immersive 3D interactive learning platform, just makes sense."
Kayden Industries designs and manufactures solid control equipment for the drilling industry. They began work with Dynamic Vision on an animation project earlier this year to support sales and marketing efforts and will attend a private session to demo the technology as it relates to safety training. Steve Fisher, one of the principals at Kayden said, "I have always been a fan of animation as I prefer to learn through visualization or hands-on training. I know many of my employees are the same. For me, animation speeds up the learning curve and improves our audience's retention of messages." The company will explore whether to incorporate 3D immersive technology into their animations to give employees an immersive experience over an interactive presentation on a desktop. Fisher said, "We face the challenge of attracting and training employees in a very tight market. We believe if we create a fun environment with health and safety as a focus, we can move and stay ahead."
Companies or media that are interested in learning more about this technology and experiencing a new immersive form of communication are invited to Dynamic Vision's open house on June 1, 2012 from 2:00pm-7:00pm. Private sessions with Kayden Industries or other oil and gas-related companies experiencing the technology for the first time are also available.
Founded in February 1991, Dynamic Vision Inc. helps companies enhance their communication efforts using advanced visualization tools. For more information on the company visit www.dynamicvision.com.
Media Contact:
Steve Zurakowski, President and Animation Director
(403) 686-2520
[email protected]
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