Frontline National

Australian-made FLAIM Trainer helps fight fire with the power of VR

V By Bennett Ring ASM Correspondent

14 | Australian Security Magazine

irtual Reality might be best known for its entertainment qualities, but it’s also set to revolutionise the way certain industries take part in training. For example, NASA has been using VR technology to train its astronauts in EVA walks for over two decades. Now two Australian companies have teamed up to bring VR to the art of firefighting, with the introduction of the the FLAIM Trainer training system. Created in a unique partnership between Dimension Data, a global technology integrator and managed services provider, and FLAIM Systems, a start-up wholly owned by Deakin University, the FLAIM Trainer aims to replicate the difficult and dangerous conditions that firefighters must face when training to fight fires. Rather than a simple Head Mounted Display (HMD) and motion controllers, the FLAIM system integrates the existing Vive HTC HMD into a full face-cover that replicates the breathing apparatus used by real firefighters. As a result, it doesn’t need to mimic smoke, as the closed-breathing system removes any externally inhaled smoke. This full-face mask is used in conjunction with a clothing system that includes heat generation components to mimic the harsh heat faced by

firefighters. Called Hitoe, it’s described as a “a wearable, biosensing nano-fibre vest which tracks electrocardiogram (ECG) readings and transmits them in real time for fitness analysis of firefighters during training.” This allows trainers to monitor the exact physical condition of trainees during the simulated fire situations. The analytics platform was originally designed by Dimension Data to monitor the performance of athletes in the Tour De France cycle race, but has since been modified for use in the FLAIM system. As well as the Hitoe vest and simulated breathing apparatus, the system also includes a virtual water hose which uses haptic simulation to deliver force feedback, allowing the user to get a feel for the strength of the flow of water under different pressures. Further optional extras include hose reels with a higher jet reaction force, augmented reality and 360 degree video training solutions, and real time performance data visualisation. The entire cost of each basic training unit is $40,000; according to James Mullins, Associate Professor, Deakin University and Chief Technology Officer of FLAIM Systems, a single week of real-world “hotfire” training can cost up to $50,000. The reusable nature of the FLAIM system thus represents a substantial cost saving in comparison.