Kaizen, CPM, line-balancing, JIT, MRP – I, MRP – II, HSE… Every manufacturer knows these terms, is well acquainted with their definitions, and most of them even know how to adopt these practices in their current workflow. These constitute the basic requirements of any manufacturing industry. Not forgetting the zillion processes anyway.
“But today, having knowledge of the basics is just not enough!”
The scale at which the manufacturing industries currently operate is enormous. Due to high demand, heavy competition, and high-quality expectations, the market is adopting new techniques and technologies to make operations efficient. The rate at which the manufacturing industry is adapting to new technology, even for a miniscule process, is mind-boggling. But any technology or process, to a certain extent, can only get as efficient as its users. In the current scenario, industrialists are not struggling to find newer ways of production, but instead are looking for effective ways to transfer the knowledge and learning to their employees.
To educate their employees on the usage and functioning of complicated machinery only by conducting classroom sessions is challenging. The value of knowing is only realized when one can apply it in life, and that’s exactly what Virtual Reality (VR) offers.
Conventional Method vs XR Method
VR presents immersive content, literally navigating into pre-designed simulated scenarios, with the ability to evaluate one’s learning in a visual and hands-on manner. The technology format also delivers domain-specific uses. In manufacturing, many of the procedures are hazardous or are not accessible by general masses; and for the select individuals who are to be trained, simulating such environments is prohibitively expensive. Also, training employees on potential risk scenarios, handling expensive machinery with high replacement costs, etc. are some of the other compelling benefits VR offers.
VR in education has proved its accomplishments in diverse learning and development (L&D) solutions by increasing learning retention, aiding recall, inculcating correct responses to scenarios and improving response time – all of this without any language barrier – through the usage of multi-lingual audio prompts. With these promising advantages, specialized manufacturing has already started patronizing and adopting VR for their learning and development programs, and it is not far when the immersive tech will be commonly utilized in the general employee induction procedure. Already, forward-looking MNC manufacturing firms have started investing in VR solutions and platforms for the training and development of their employees – for both corporate and industrial procedures. Why?
Well, stay tuned for our content piece on how VR is making the employee induction program easy, convenient and appealing in the near future.