Our goal was to create a health and safety training system. For better efficiency and usability of the solution, we decided to create both possibilities of using the VR, ie. VR application, both in 2D and complex, mobile version. We focused primarily on training scenarios for the healthcare sector. Our project started at a time when the covid-19 pandemic was in full force and health professionals were among the most vulnerable workers who urgently needed to create more effective training conditions.
In all scenarios, we had the same solution as follows:
- Initial configuration – selection and familiarization with avatar.
- Environment – identification of which part of the environment it is.
- Scenario – the avatar informs the user of the situation in which they find themselves and what is expected of the user. With the help of an animation video, he will show him what he should do, and after the video, the user is allowed to perform individual actions to find out whether he has mastered the individual procedures.
The scenarios were a separate, very important task. For their suitability and correct setting, we chose a separate methodology of their creation, which consisted of:
- Training assessments in terms of implementation options through the VR
- Assessment of technical prerequisites for the implementation of training
- Analysis of key knowledge within the training
- Detailed training analysis – especially its benefits
- Defining the contribution of VR (experiential learning) to conventional training methods
- Design of basic scenarios (interaction, scene dynamics, avatar involvement, sound, dubbing, behavioral technique)
- Control from the point of view of compliance with the continuity of processes, etc.
- Application creation
- Testing in laboratory conditions
- Testing in real conditions
- Implementation into the process
Testing in real conditions on employees helped us to find out the contribution of VR, experiential learning to the training process in the field of occupational safety and health. 120 hospital employees working in the same departments took part in the real-world testing process. The total number was created by a combination of doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other employees who normally move around the ward. Due to the specific environment, the hospital and the scenarios were primarily focused on handling potentially dangerous objects, with which the hospital staff can come into direct contact. It was mainly about proper handling of sharp or dangerous objects such as needles, scalpel and the like. The correct deployment and use of protective equipment such as coats, disinfection and hand washing, and the like, was a matter of course.
The desktop application did not have any specific requirements during its development, it was designed to be compatible with the Windows or Android operating system. In the case of the mobile application, we focused on an application that would be usable in All in One VR glasses, Oculus Quest. We focused primarily on Oculus Quest glasses for several reasons, such as a 360 ° range of use, compact controls and, last but not least, a price of € 350. The price was one of the key parameters, as we want to achieve a high range of use of the created health and safety system.