AR-VR Training for Logistics

Augmented Reality puts information on top of reality, which blurs the line between what is real and what is not. Virtual Reality creates a whole new reality. It manipulates the senses into thinking you are in a different world. For this you need special glasses and equipment, like a remote control or gloves that registrate hand movements. 

AR and VR can be used to let new employees practice different kinds of logistic operations in a virtual reality.

One of the most important lessons learned from the VIL report ‘Vision in Logistics‘ is that AR has a strong added value for trainings. It has a positive impact on quality (fewer mistakes), which leads to better performance.

Opportunities

The project has economic and social potential: 

• increasing productivity, reliability and accuracy in performing logistic tasks, by using AR – VR in training
• decreasing (security) risks of high risk processes, by training with VR and using extra AR alerts and warnings 
• optimising processes by pointing out changes via AR – VR
• re-educate employees easily, with limited infrastructure and at little extra costs
• using AR – VR for testing soft skills in recruitment procedures
• reducing the amount of movements in the warehouse, thanks to remote help

Results

• Trainings using Virtual Reality make it possible to simulate potential dangerous situations, without using infrastructure.
• Augmented Reality puts information on top of reality, which allows the trainee to walk around ‘on the job’ and see a digital instruction screen or a selection menu using smart glasses.
• The test trainees were strongly convinced of the added value and were excited by the new way of learning
• VIL did practical tests at DHL Supply Chain, Nike ECL and Scania Parts Logistics.
• Due to the corona crisis, the tests could only take place on a limited scale. It is therefore not possible to conclude that the AR/VR trainings are more effective than classic trainings.
• The measurements and surveys did show that the trainings are up to six times more efficient than a classic training. An important asset is that every trainee completed the entire training.
• Using AR and VR can be challenging for employees who are less familiar with technology. Sufficient guidance and time to get used to it are very important at the start of the training. It is also important to think about which language(s) to use in the instructions.