20
INTERVIEW JULY 2018
ImmERsIVE TRaININg
stimulAting simulAtion Rapid Access’ latest offering is
machine. Or if you know how
a virtual reality (VR) simulator,
to operate a machine, those
that enables people to build up
skills can be used here as well.
competency and confidence
“We are selling this VR
in operating booms and
simulator. We are the only
scissor lifts. The simulator
distributors for it in the
consists of several devices
Middle East and this is the
forming an integrated system.
first machine of its kind in the
Controlled by a computer, it
region. We are also looking
has the basket and controls of
to diversify our package
an AWP machine in which the
effectively to the customer.
operator takes up his position
So, for customers who hire
and wears a VR headset with
from us, or customers who
visual and audio channels,
want to hire this specifically,
through which he is immersed
it is part of our rental fleet
into VR scenarios programmed
and is something that we
into the computer. Each
will rent out for customer
scenario consists of virtual
demonstrations.”
tasks for the operator to
Keely adds that companies
perform that will test his skill
and projects that have large
in operating the machine.
numbers of people operating
The controls respond
AWP equipment will use
just like a normal machine
a product like this to test
and the basket generates
operator competency. “They
motion depending on the
are required to have an IPAF
way the operator is using the
licence, which certifies that
equipment in his VR world,
they’ve been trained, but it
giving him the impression of
doesn’t necessarily show
operating an actual machine.
they are competent in the
There are several levels of
use of the machine. This
tasks, each progressively
simulator is a very quick and
more complex, and he is
simple way of testing the
marked on his performance
competence of the operator.”
at each level according to the skill displayed.
So far, Rapid Access staff have been accompanying
“It’s a fully immersive,
the simulator for demos, but
virtual reality world, and it’s
that won’t always be the case,
a simulator that rocks and
Keely explains. “It is a very
moves depending on your
easy thing to become familiar
operation of the machine.
with and set up – it takes only
The benefit is that you’re able
about 15 minutes for setting
to train and understand how
up – and it doesn’t need much
the equipment works in a
space. So, it’s something we
completely risk-free scenario.
could go in and install, and
So you can operate an AWP
then the customer company
machine using this simulator
can operate it on their own.
knowing you’re not going to
“Once set up and in place,
do any damage to machines,
it’s only a case of turning the
people or the site you’re
laptop on and off. It’s a very
working on,” says Joe Keely.
simple piece of kit. It looks
“It’s got standard industry
complicated and I’m sure it’s
controls, which operate in a
complicated to design and
manner identical to real-life
build, but the ease of use is
machines. If you can build up
a boon to companies who
knowledge on how to operate
would like to test the skill
here, you would be able to
levels of their operators and
transfer those skills onto a real
upskill them,” explains Keely.