Designing AR / VR- Based Trainings to Build Engineering Skills for the Future

EasyChair Preprint 3079

Abstract

An engineer’s time to learn new technology is shrinking rapidly as new technologies like Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, 3D printing, IOT, Robotics etc are rapidly disrupting the industry. Can we use these very same technologies to accelerate our learning? We believe that engineering pedagogy must transition from the 2D world to the 3D world, were technologies like virtual reality (VR) and Holographic projection will lead to better understanding and retention amongst students. Our engineers, who are involved in building new products based on advanced mobility technology platforms need extensive trainings on Autonomous, Electric and Connected vehicles. With the emergence of electric vehicles, there is an urgent need to train mobility engineers in handling EV subsystems like high voltage battery’s and motors. In this paper, we will share the key learning from our recent work on designing a VR based module on electric vehicle. An engineer must be sufficiently trained and certified before he can touch a high voltage battery pack system. But how do we train an engineer – especially on battery dismantling and charging, if they cannot even touch these systems? here is where AR/VR technology came to our rescue. Salient features of this training module include virtual modes where the trainees will work on high voltage battery system dismantling, charging etc. without exposing themselves to the risks of electric shocks. We could make our engineers practice handling of battery system in virtual environment. After our initial success with AR/VR trainings on electric vehicles, we are now exploring trainings for autonomous and connected vehicles too. Our approach could very well be extended for applications beyond automotive industry – design of aircrafts, drones, design of high voltage power transmission systems, design of nuclear reactors, practice of complex surgery procedures etc.

Keyphrases: Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, education system, electric vehicles, training

@booklet{EasyChair:3079,
  author    = {S Shankar Anand and Srinivas Gunti Ranga and Subash Chinnathambi and Shankar Venugopal},
  title     = {Designing AR / VR- Based Trainings to Build Engineering Skills for the Future},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 3079},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2020}}