Arithmetica Virtual Reality App Helps Keep Industrial Workers Safe at Cape

Arithmetica has created a fully interactive virtual reality simulation of a hazardous working environment using a SphereVision 360 degree video recording and production system. Designed to support health and safety training at Cape plc, an international leader in the provision of critical industrial services to the energy and natural resources sectors, the immersive training presentation is intended to improve hazard awareness, increase perception of risk and support decision making. The Spherevision solution includes 360 degree video of a coal-fired power station with commentary from Cape, and is delivered using specially developed Spherevision presenter software (app) for controlling multiple Samsung Gear VR headsets.

“When people are working in the same environment for long periods of time, their perception of risk can be lowered,” commented Marc Allert, Risk Coach at Cape. “They can even lose respect for the hazards they face every day. In order to counter, this we wanted to create something completely different.

“Working with Arithmetica, we have been able to revolutionise our health and safety training. The use of 360 degree imagery of a real working environment presented using Virtual Reality technology is having a genuine impact on trainees throughout the organisation. We are now looking to widen the scope of our training programme and even offer this solution to our customers and partner organisations as a service.”

Working alongside Cape personnel, Arithmetica, with support from sister company Transmission TX which provided its 360 video production expertise in turning Cape’s storyboard into the immersive training tool, captured 360 degree video of the Eggborough Power Station over a period of two days. Arithmetica processed the raw 360 video footage and, in conjunction with feedback from Cape, delivered a fully interactive 360 degree visualisation of the environment from the perspective of a member of staff working on site. A commentary from Cape was added to the video to draw attention and focus to specific features and working practices.

In order to deliver the solution to multiple personnel, Arithmetica also developed VR software for Cape so the resulting experience could be delivered in an interactive and immersive way, using Samsung GearVR headsets in a classroom or lecture theatre environment whilst giving the trainer full control of the training experience.

“To date we have trained several hundred members of staff using the SphereVision solution,” continued Allert. “The feedback has been unanimously positive, as relevant messages are communicated in a realistic, hard-hitting way yet still easy to comprehend.”

Cape is a leading player in the provision of critical industrial services, such as the traditional services of access, insulation, coatings and mechanical, and a range of specialist services including oil and gas storage tanks, heat exchanger replacement and refurbishment, and environmental services, to the energy and natural resources sectors. With safety a top priority, Cape invests significant resource into training, providing all employees with relevant technical and safety training in a format suited to specific needs.

CONTACTS: Mark Senior, mark.senior@arithmetica.com, +44 (0) 208 783 1972, www.arithmetica.com, www.spherevision.com