When it comes to training military personnel virtually, there are a few things that are highly valued. Can training be done in a realistic, immersive environment? Is there a high training throughput? Does it ease the instructor load?
Extended reality (XR) has entered the military training space for numerous types of exercises. It has been used for flight, drone operation, negotiation, combat, medical, and more. It is a highly flexible style of training that, by definition, mixes the benefits of augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality into one package.
The unique thing about XR’s abilities is that it allows for trainees to interact with virtual objects placed into the real world. Passthrough and augmented reality have further developed to reduce the feeling of motion sickness or not being immersed due to an overly artificial CGI environment.
XR from a Military Perpective
A new survey conducted by HTC VIVE shows that military personnel have a positive view on XR – whether they have used the technology already or are planning to. The survey polled 400 military personnel. Here are some examples of the survey’s findings:
- 67% said XR training helps them prepare for stressful situations.
- 80% said XR enhances their education plans.
- 75% of the respondents who do not use XR plan to do so by 2028.
These recent statistics gathered in mid-2023 show positive perceptions as well as a good outlook for the future of XR. Simulated training in all forms has been popular for years, but the unique benefits from XR are noted for immersive combat training, technical training, and exercises (VIVE Business, 2023).
V-XR® – VirTra’s XR Solution
VirTra offered a glimpse of its newest technology at I/ITSEC 2023. The V-XR® is our most portable simulation tool, and its self-driven properties can relieve the instructor. Its unique use of volumetric capture allows humans to be captured as 3D characters, allowing for a more realistic appearance than what is provided by traditional CGI.
If you didn’t get a chance to receive a demonstration of this new system, you can schedule one by speaking with a specialist.
References:
Military survey: Vive Business. Military Survey | VIVE Business. (2023). https://go.vive.com/NAM-MIL-Survey-5832-PDF-LP.html?aliId=eyJpIjoibkhNSDZ1d0dRK1Z5M1VseiIsInQiOiJtb2JaZjEyR0d4R29VSE9JS25uMnlBPT0ifQ%253D%253D
