10 Golden Rules For A Perfect Virtual Reality Demonstration
10 Requirements For A Successful Virtual Reality Demonstration
Forklift-Simulator is the producer of the world’s first virtual reality forklift simulator. This standardized virtual reality experience is in use at more than 40 leading schools, companies and government agencies. This provides a lot of insights it what works well in virtual reality. This article describes how to create the perfect virtual reality demonstration session.
VR is so immersive and new that it can be quite a challenge to try out new VR experiences, especially for first timers. After thousands of demonstrations and working sessions with our customers we created the 10 golden rules to set-up a successful virtual reality demonstration where (future) forklift drivers feel confident and want to come back for more.
1 | Have A Separate Closed-Off area With Limited Traffic
A quiet training environment is recommended.
This is the most important rule during any virtual reality demonstration. People have little notion about what’s happening around them when they’re ‘in VR’. To limit the ‘animal in the zoo bystanders’ effect it is advised to run VR sessions in areas with limited traffic so people don’t feel intimated or are distracted by bystanders noises.
2 | Nice Temperature. Not Too hot, Preferably Air-Conditioned
Soaky VR-goggles are not nice and VR is an intensive experience by itself. A cool, air-conditioned environment (or a fan) are perfect settings for a good session.
3 | Eliminate Stress Or Pressure To Perform First Time
Giving instructions to a student on a Stand Up Desktop Forklift Simulator.
This is one of the most important rules of giving a successful virtual reality demonstration: Oooz people into virtual reality. It’s already an amazing experience by itself so let’s give people time to adjust. Create a confident environment. Shy away from tasks, objectives or performance stress at first. There’s still plenty of time for that in follow-up sessions.
4 | Small Group of Supportive Bystanders
Limit the number of bystanders or people participating. In our experience groups of 3-5 are ideal. People tend to be supportive and sympathetic with the person ‘in VR’ and even learn from her or his performance. When bystander groups are too big they can start making jokes or mocking the person performing ‘in VR’, the learning effect gets lost and the VR performer might feel pressured.
5 | Explain What Will Happen – The VR Experience
The US Airforce during a training on the Sit Down Counterbalance of Forklift-Simulator.
Always explain to newbies what they can expect and will experience in VR. e.g. you won’t hear outsiders, will feel like you’re someone else, what routine they will go through. Don’t scare them or give away all surprise elements, just make them feel confident.
6 | Briefly Explain What Can Happen
Address vection upfront. Briefly explain what it is, what people might feel, that it’s perfectly normal if you experience vection first time and they better stop the session right away.
7 | Demonstrate Upfront – Check VR Equipment
Pro-tip: Check the virtual reality hardware & software upfront.
As a trainer or coordinator you should know the virtual reality experience inside-out. What will happen where in which specific exercises. Check from time to time that material is set-up in the right way, googles should be clean, etcetera.
8 | Help People With Settling in Virtual Reality
Pay extra attention to newbies. They have no reference set of what works or what is normal in VR. Make sure they have clear view, adjust goggles if needed so they are set to make a perfect start.
9 | Keep First Sessions Short With Limited Motion
Keep beginner sessions short. A first exercises of 3-5 minutes without motion might be perfect. Leave people time to adjust, look around. Over time you can increase the length of exercises, sessions and difficulty level.
10 | Have Groups Of People Rotate – Create Supportive Atmosphere
Create a supportive team atmosphere and learning environment by having small groups of people rotate through specific exercises. They’ll learn from another and will discuss best practice. The learning experience can be as big in front as ‘in VR’.
By following these 10 requirements of giving a virtual reality demonstration, (future) operators will be able to operate a forklift even faster, safer and better.
Also watch this VR forklift training video and see the experiences of users.
