Current Usage: Out of 23 surveyed civilian agencies, 17 reported engaging in activities involving immersive technologies during fiscal years 2022 and 2023. These technologies were primarily employed for workforce training and public outreach. For instance, the Department of Homeland Security utilized simulators and other immersive tools to train nearly 10,000 employees in areas like law enforcement and emergency response. Similarly, the Department of Veterans Affairs applied VR in clinical settings to support mental health treatment and physical rehabilitation.
Reported Benefits: Agencies identified several advantages of using immersive technologies, including enhanced understanding of data, increased safety, and improved decision-making processes.
Future Plans: Sixteen agencies indicated intentions to expand their use of immersive technologies between fiscal years 2024 and 2028. Planned applications encompass data visualization, design and planning, public outreach, and remote collaboration. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration plans to employ these technologies to demonstrate new architectural designs and concepts.
Challenges: Agencies reported facing obstacles such as meeting cybersecurity and privacy requirements, as well as managing high operation and maintenance costs. Those not planning to adopt or expand the use of immersive technologies cited cybersecurity concerns as a primary barrier.
The GAO's analysis underscores the growing integration of immersive technologies within federal civilian agencies, highlighting both the potential benefits and the challenges that accompany their adoption.
We're excited to announce thatForgeFX Simulationswill be exhibiting at theDefense Threat Reduction Agency's Chemical and Biological Defense Science & Technology Conference (CBD S&T) Conference! The premier event covering chemical and biological defense science and technology. December 2-5, at theBroward County Convention Centerin Fort Lauderdale, Florida!
ForgeFX will be exhibiting a collection of our chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear detection device training simulators, as well as our new Virtual Operational Readiness Tactical Engagement Exercise (VORTEX) Mission Planner. Please stop by booth 110 to experience our simulators in-person.
ForgeFX Simulationshad an incredible time co-exhibiting inside the Metabooth last week at Augmented Enterprise Summit (AES) 2024! We were thrilled to demonstrate a collection of our custom mixed reality training simulators, running on the Meta Quest headsets, showcasing how immersive technology is revolutionizing the workforce.
A huge thank you to Meta for hosting ForgeFX, BrainXchange for organizing this amazing event, and to all the other exhibitors and attendees who made it such a success. Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with spatial computing technology!
🚀 ForgeFX Simulations is thrilled to announce that we will be exhibiting at BrainXchange's Augmented Enterprise Summit (AES) 2024 in Dallas, Texas, from October 15-17, where we'll be showcasing our cutting-edge Meta Quest-based virtual trainers within the Meta booth (401).
Don’t miss the chance to experience firsthand how our innovative simulation solutions can transform training and operations within your organization.
ForgeFX had an amazing experience at the Leidos Supplier Innovation & Technology Symposium, August 6, 2024, at the Gaylord National Convention Center. This annual event is aimed at fostering collaboration, innovation, and partnership among Leidos, its suppliers, and their customers.
We were honored to be featured in the Emerging Technologies Exhibit Hall to showcase our cutting-edge AR/VR/XR training simulators.
To everyone from the Leidos team, fellow suppliers, and customers who visited us and experienced our immersive simulators—thank you for welcoming ForgeFX Simulations as a new supplier, and creating a platform that highlights innovation and collaboration! Your enthusiasm and engagement made this event unforgettable.
We're looking forward to keeping the conversations going and to seeing everyone again at next year's event!
ForgeFX wins GSA subcontract to deliver unlocked sandbox CBRN simulation product significantly advancing the Department of Defense’s HoloTrainer project.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 10, 2024 – Today ForgeFX Simulations announces the award of a pivotal General Service Administration (GSA) subcontract from SciTech Services, Inc., to extend the Enhanced Warfighter Augmented Trainer (EWAT), or HoloTrainer, project for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). SciTech Services, Inc., Prime Contractor and veteran provider of research and development to the DOD, was awarded the GSA contract from the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense’s (JPEO-CBRND) Joint Project Manager for CBRN Special Operations Forces (JPM CBRN SOF). This award marks a significant advancement in the training of JPM CBRN SOF’s EWAT initiative, underscoring their commitment to enhancing their military personnel’s operational readiness and decision-making skills through innovative mixed reality training simulators.
The CBRND HoloTrainer is a suite of augmented reality CBRND device training simulators designed to accelerate operational readiness for warfighters anywhere, anytime. Supported by Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, the HoloTrainer creates a comprehensive training platform to improve the operational readiness of military personnel through realistic training scenarios on over a dozen CBRN detection devices.
The inclusion of high-fidelity digital twins of the actual devices in a mixed-reality environment emphasizes safety and efficiency in CBRN response scenarios. The added enhancement of networked multiuser functionality facilitates remote, collaborative training, ensuring expert instructor training is available in the lesson, regardless of the end user’s physical location. Guided lessons instruct trainees in parts familiarization, modes of operation, maintenance and calibration procedures, and more.
"Developing the EWAT HoloTrainer project for the JPM CBRN SOF has been an extraordinary journey for us at ForgeFX Simulations and all of the CBRND device manufacturers and subject matter experts we’ve had the pleasure of working with. These networked multiuser CBRN detection device mixed reality training simulators are a remarkable achievement in immersive learning technologies. It’s not just a training tool but a leap forward in preparing operatives for complex, real-world scenarios. By integrating advanced mixed reality with networked, multi-user capabilities, we’ve created an environment where teams can train together in highly realistic simulations, no matter where they are located. This level of realism and interactivity is unprecedented in CBRN training. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this technological advancement, providing solutions that significantly enhance the readiness and capabilities of the Department of Defense and our special operations forces all around the world." Greg Meyers, CEO and Co-Founder, ForgeFX Simulations
The delivery of the unguided simulation product for the X-am 8000 represents a significant leap forward in preparing warfighters for real-world scenarios with a highly immersive training experience that exposes warfighters to the complexities of monitoring and identifying multiple hazardous gases without predefined guidance. By engaging with the simulation in an unstructured environment, trainees develop critical thinking and decision-making skills, mirroring the unpredictability and pressure of actual field conditions.
This aspect of the training is crucial, as it teaches warfighters to recognize and react to life-threatening variations in oxygen levels and other lethal gaseous environments, a common and dangerous scenario in CBRN operations. The unguided format of this simulation encourages warfighters to explore and interact with the virtual device independently, fostering a deeper understanding of the X-am 8000’s functionalities and operational procedures.
This learning method is instrumental in building confidence and competence, ensuring that military personnel are better equipped to handle the Draeger X-am 8000 efficiently and safely before entering the hazards of real-world application. This breakthrough in training methodology, facilitated by the collaborative efforts of SciTech Services, Inc., Draeger, and ForgeFX Simulations, underscores a commitment to advancing military readiness through cutting-edge technology.
The unguided lesson format not only enhances the practical skills of our warfighters but also prepares them mentally for the complexities of CBRN missions, significantly boosting their operational readiness.
As ForgeFX Simulations continues the exciting journey with the JPM CBRN SOF we extend an invitation to forward-thinking organizations aiming to transform their training environments to contact us. ForgeFX’s pioneering solutions, featuring networked multi-user mixed reality training simulators through the holographic projection of fully interactable digital twins, are at the forefront of immersive learning technologies. If your goal is to advance operational efficiency, enrich educational endeavors, or navigate the forefront of training innovations, ForgeFX stands ready to make your vision a reality. Reach out to us to explore how our award-winning approaches can be customized to suit the specific needs of your projects, propelling your training infrastructure into a new era of excellence.
About ForgeFX Simulations ForgeFX is a training simulation software development company. Founded in 2002, ForgeFX develops high-quality custom interactive 3D simulation and visualization software products for clients across a wide array of industries. Leveraging high-fidelity 3D graphics and game engine development tools, ForgeFX provides development services for mixed reality training simulators for clients looking to distribute interactive simulation-based training solutions. Employed by industries including national defense, healthcare, pharmaceutical, insurance, mining, construction, and transportation, ForgeFX’s products produce measurable improvements in trainee engagement and knowledge retention. For more information, visit: https://forgefx.com
About SciTech SciTech Services, Inc. has been a dedicated research, development, testing, engineering, and life science service provider to the Department of Defense (DOD) and other government entities for over 30 years. SciTech supports critical DOD sectors, including the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations, in addition to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aiding in biomedical research, vaccine development, and clinical trials. For more information, visit: https://scitechinc.com
About Draeger Draeger manufactures medical and safety technology products. Protecting, supporting, and saving people’s lives worldwide in hospitals, fire departments, emergency services, authorities, mining, and industry. Founded in Lübeck in 1889, Draeger has grown into a worldwide, listed enterprise in its fifth generation as a family-run business. For more information, visit: https://www.draeger.com/en-us_us/Home
About JPEO-CBRND The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) mission is to provide integrated layered chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense capabilities to the Joint Force across combined Joint All-Domain Operations. JPEO-CBRND’s goal is to enable the Joint Force to fight and win unencumbered by a CBRN environment. To learn more about JPEO-CBRND, visit: https://www.jpeocbrnd.osd.mil, or follow JPEO-CBRND on social media @JPEOCBRND.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this press release reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, nor the United States Government.
We're excited to share our recent talk from Augmented World Expo 2024 in Long Beach, CA! ForgeFX Simulations CEO, Greg Meyers, and Somero Enterprises Senior VP Global Customer Support, Dave Raasakka co-presented an insightful session on leveraging mixed reality to enhance training for precision in concrete leveling and placement.
https://youtu.be/xo8yO6hwzuc
A huge thank you to Dave and Somero Enterprises for their partnership and collaboration, the AWE team for putting on such a great event, and all the attendees, exhibitors, and speakers that make it a premier showcase for innovation and cutting-edge technology in the mixed reality space.
ForgeFX is a training simulator software development company based in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. We provide custom application development services for clients looking to create PC-based interactive training applications, using high-fidelity 3D graphics. Our clients compete in the mining, aerospace, transportation, construction, health care, education, and pharmaceutical industries.
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