United States Air Force

CLIENT
United States Air Force

OBJECTIVE
Our client tasked us with the objective of developing solutions that could reduce travel and equipment costs within the United States Air Force, while also improving employee retention. The goal was to dramatically reduce training and equipment costs for mobile weather station and broadband network station deployment.

APPROACH
SHIIFT developed a Virtual Reality (VR) technical training program for employees using an immersive and interactive simulated experience for working with parts and components on equipment. Our solution was developed through the use of a VR headset.

The Problem

SHIIFT was retained by the United States Air Force in order to reduce the high costs of training and to reduce the resources required in order to deploy and work with live weather control stations and broadband network stations. This also included accounting for employee retention and the loss of efficiency, thus our solution needed to improve employee retention and increase efficiency dramatically.

The client also needed to drastically reduce expenditures on travel and equipment costs that are typically incurred for employees to work with live equipment and operational assets. By creating a virtual experience, the need to transport equipment was greatly reduced while also enabling more employees to learn and practice their skills with simulated components and equipment.

The Solution

Our team designed a Virtual Reality (VR) program which simulated a digital twin of all components used in a mobile weather station and broadband network station. This accurate, to-scale virtual simulation of the equipment enabled employees and trainees to practice the technical skills and processes involved with erecting and repairing both types of equipment. The simulation contained over 80 components and provided employees with an extremely accurate and realistic ‘hands-on’ experience that was engaging and interactive for trainees and employees. Thus, trainees were able to quickly and efficiently hone their skills before working with live equipment, which improved efficiency and reduced mistakes.

When was this completed?

The VR program was completed for the United States Air Force in March 2019. The client is now able to use the program to train current employees and new trainees.

How long did it take?

The project took 3 months to complete, from our initial consultation with the client to the finished product delivery. Our team maintained open and consistent communications throughout the progression of the project.