VR helps UPS to train student delivery drivers

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Through the technology of virtual reality (VR), people can experience scenarios that are impossible to be realistically recreated in daily lives.

Launching in September, the company plans to use VR headsets like HTC Vive in all nine of UPS Integrad training facilities in the US to train its student delivery drivers, the company announced on Tuesday.

The VR training modules, which created by IT experts of the Atlanta-based company, enable students with headsets to experience realistic streetscapes and a 360-degree world inside the simulator. The project is meant to teach new drivers to navigate city streets and avoid hazards through a game-like training.

UPS announced to use VR headsets nine of Integrad training facilities in the US to train its student delivery drivers. /AFP Photo

“Virtual reality offers a big technological leap in the realm of driver safety training,” said Juan Perez, UPS chief information and engineering officer. “VR creates a hyper-realistic streetscape that will dazzle even the youngest of our drivers whose previous exposure to the technology was through video games," he added.

The global delivery giant is also aiming to use both VR and augmented reality (AR) for training tractor trailer drivers and performing other duties throughout the operation.

VR among "Big Names"

UPS is not the only one who adopts VR in training. Big names like Google and Walmart have also been embracing one of the newest techs for improving people's skills.

Photo via Google

In a blog post in July, Google revealed an experiment hosted by its Daydream Labs to test if VR training is more efficient than a tutorial video for new recruits. With the goal of coffee-making-training, researchers built a 3D model of an espresso machine that can function as a real one. Following the instruction, participants were tasked to learn how to make a shot of espresso by doing VR.

It's impossible to tell from one experiment, but early results are promising, said Google in the post.

Besides work training, VR is also used in a more human way by Walmart. Earlier this year, the US retail giant announced the use of VR in training associates to handle situations from the everyday, like managing the fresh area, to the rare, like Black Friday.

Photo via Walmart

During VR training, associates are able to experience a lifelike store environment to experiment, learn and handle difficult situations without the need to recreate disruptive incidents or disturb the customers’ shopping experience, said Walmart in the announcement.