SP Energy Networks – Digital Catapult: VR Proofs of Concept
Investigating immersive tech to enhance training
Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and Digital Catapult (DC) worked together to investigate the power of immersive technology for training.
As part of this investigation, SPEN and DC came to the Make Real team to create two VR proofs of concept to get a better idea of the possible benefits. The first is Overhead Line Inspection, with another on the way focusing on substation switching procedures.
The Overhead Line Inspection VR tool
Traditionally, training for inspectors takes place at a facility where they can practise the process on physical equipment. However, it’s not possible to replicate every single situation an inspector might come across,
This tool is designed to give learners an opportunity to practise Overhead Line Inspection…
- In a safe, controlled environment
- With the possibility to see anomalies that are rare in real life, or difficult to set up in physical training environments
- And discuss outcomes immediately with trainers and other trainees
The VR tool replicates the process that inspectors must follow when checking poles:
- Assess locational risk for the pole
- Note the pole’s condition – making sure to check the external condition as well as the internal, which uses a ‘hammer test’ to check for the sound of the pole and determine if it is rotting
- Note any anomalies such as rusty equipment or unauthorised attachments
- Note any vegetation overgrowing on the pole and overhead lines
- Measure ground clearances to lines and pole top equipment using a laser range finder and note any proximity hazards
What the experience involves
The experience begins with a tutorial to familiarise the learner with the VR controls, complete with a voiceover walking them through the process of checking the poles. Throughout, we use teleportation rather than stick walk-and-move to avoid motion sickness for learners less familiar with VR.
A handy checklist guides the learner through every step, such as what anomalies to look out for (missing Danger signs, pole top rot, etc), levels of vegetation to report, and so on. They also need to measure line clearance at several points.
After the tutorial, the learner carries on inspecting five more poles each with different considerations. At the end of the experience, they get a final rating depending how well they’ve done.
A key factor in the experience is its re-playability. The scenarios are completely randomised each time, so every pole has new anomalies to check through, such as those pictured above. So learners can try it out more than once but can’t simply ‘game’ it by remembering the answers for each pole. There are around 1,000 different combinations that can occur – meaning it would take learners rather a while to learn them all!
See the experience in action below.
The feedback so far
The proof-of-concept VR tool has garnered positive feedback from learners and SPEN is pressing ahead with a second PoC.
Learners agreed that the experience was engaging and there was a feeling that the training could be a useful supplement to traditional training methods, as well as being a useful introduction, refresher, or assessment tool. The tool can also be used as a promotional tool at recruitment events or in schools.