Safety training using virtual reality: a comparative approach

Virtual Reality is widely regarded as an extremely promising solution for industrial training purposes, as it allows to perform simulated hands-on activities in a controlled and safe environment. In this paper we present a Virtual Reality system aimed at providing a training solution for safety inside a generic power plant environment. The system includes several scenarios in order to offer a wide range of tasks and situations. We have tested the system with a sample of users in order to compare the effectiveness of traditional training against our system in terms of theoretical and practical learning. We carried on our study with questionnaires and observing the behaviour of all the users inside the Virtual Environment. We also studied the involvement of trainees and sense of presence generated by the system, as it is an important driver of user engagement and, consequently, impacts on motivation and training efficacy.