Is VR the Future of Workforce Training?

 🔧 Is VR the Future of Workforce Training? We certainly think so! ForgeFX Simulations is honored to be featured in this insightful and in-depth article on Heavy Equipment Guide that explores how virtual reality is revolutionizing workforce training across industries. 

Is VR the Future of Workforce Training? ForgeFX delivers VR innovation for hands-on skill development.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.heavyequipmentguide.ca/article/43017/is-vr-the-future-of-workforce-training

A big thank you to Meghan Barton for writing this great article, and for taking the time to speak with Kristen M. Cox and Greg Meyers at ForgeFX Simulations to learn more about the impact of VR training. We truly appreciate the opportunity to share our insights on how virtual reality is shaping the future of workforce development!

💡 Key takeaways:

✅ VR-based simulators provide safe and cost-effective training for heavy equipment operators.

✅ Companies are leveraging VR to reduce risk, increase efficiency, and enhance knowledge retention for trainees.

✅ VR training simulators—like those developed by ForgeFX Simulations—help operators build hands-on skills in a risk-free environment.

#VRTraining #Simulation #WorkforceDevelopment #HeavyEquipment #ForgeFX #ForgeFXSimulations #TrainingSimulator #SpatialComputing #VR #XR #XRTraining #OperatorTrainingSimulator

Decoding XR Success: A Decade of Lessons With Fortune 500 Innovators

Industrial Immersive 2025: Houston, TX, March 3-4, Westin Memorial City

Join ForgeFX at the 7th Annual Industrial Immersive Event in Houston, TX!

We’re thrilled to announce that ForgeFX’s CEO and Co-Founder, Greg Meyers, will be taking the stage at the 7th Annual Industrial Immersive Event in Houston, TX!

Session Details:
📌 Title: "Decoding XR Success: A Decade of Lessons With Fortune 500 Innovators"
📍 Location: Westin Memorial City, Houston, TX
📅 Date: March 3, 2025
🔗 Learn more and register: Event Link

Why You Can’t Miss This Session

Greg Meyers has spent over a decade leading the charge in AR, VR, XR, and simulation-based training solutions for some of the world’s largest industrial enterprises. His expertise in delivering scalable, impactful immersive technology solutions has made ForgeFX a trusted partner for industry-leading Fortune 500 companies.

In this must-attend session, Greg will take a deep dive into:

✅ Key lessons learned from a decade of deploying XR solutions in high-stakes industries.
✅ What makes immersive technology succeed (and fail) at an enterprise scale.
✅ Real-world case studies showcasing the power of simulation-based training.

Whether you’re just beginning your XR journey or looking to refine your enterprise-scale immersive solutions, this session will provide actionable insights you won’t find anywhere else.

The Future of Industrial Immersive Technology

The Industrial Immersive Event has established itself as the premier gathering for XR, AI, and simulation professionals focused on revolutionizing training, operations, and workforce development. As industries continue to adopt immersive technologies, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. This conference brings together thought leaders, technologists, and innovators from energy, manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and beyond.

By attending Greg’s session, you’ll gain a front-row seat to the latest advancements, challenges, and breakthroughs in extended reality and simulation-based training. ForgeFX’s expertise in immersive simulations has helped companies enhance workforce training, reduce operational risks, and improve overall efficiency—don’t miss this chance to learn how your organization can do the same.

Join the Conversation

The event runs from March 3-4, 2025, offering a packed agenda of insightful keynotes, hands-on demonstrations, and networking opportunities. Be sure to mark your calendar and attend Greg Meyers’ session to gain exclusive insights into the future of industrial XR solutions.

🔗 Reserve your spot today!

We look forward to seeing you in Houston this March! 

Comparison of Spatial Visualization Techniques for Radiation in Augmented Reality

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology has published a research paper titled "Comparison of Spatial Visualization Techniques for Radiation in Augmented Reality." 

This comprehensive research paper includes a number of programs currently being used in the space, including the mixed reality interactive digital twin application that ForgeFX is working on with the JPEO for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). 

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Training Simulator Delivered to JPEO-CBRND by ForgeFX Simulations and MRIGlobal

UAS simulator gives JPEO-CBRND the ability to deploy simulation-based training to operators to master the controls and process involved in operating a UAV.

This interactive 3D virtual training simulator is designed to instruct CBRND personnel in the remote operation of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) from within a Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV). Working directly with subject matter experts (SMEs) from the DoD and Teledyne FLIR, ForgeFX created digital replicas of their physical and virtual products, reproducing all the functions the physical objects perform. This simulator, running on a standard tablet computer, gives the JPEO-CBRND the ability to widely deploy simulation-based training to operators, who can master the complex controls and processes involved in operating a UAV and all of the onboard sensors it carries. 

 The simulator recreates a CBRND reconnaissance mission featuring an NBCRV equipped with a sensor suite array and two pods, each containing a UAS. The UAS in the simulator is an R80D Skyraider drone carrying a MUVETM B330 Continuous Biological Detector and Collector payload, both manufactured by Teledyne FLIR. The Skyraider is launched from the NBCRV and directed into an area suspected to be contaminated by airborne substances. Operated by means of the ATAK application running on a tablet computer inside the NBCRV, the drone’s sensor payload helps the CBRND personnel triangulate on the position, speed, and contents of airborne contamination. 

 Learn more: https://www.einpresswire.com/article/656457540/unmanned-aircraft-system-uas-training-simulator-delivered-to-jpeo-cbrnd-by-forgefx-simulations-and-mriglobal

Designing, Developing, Deploying, and Supporting Augmented Reality-Based CBRN Device Training Simulations

We'd like to thank Augmented World Expo for inviting us to present at Augmented World Expo, 2023 last week at the Santa Clara Convention Center, and for posting the talk online for all to see:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/-yOnL3D_kp8

ForgeFX CEO, Greg Meyers, and CPO, Scott LaForge, presented this session covering the augmented reality-based CBRN detection device training simulators we're developing for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) through the JPEO for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBNRD) in collaboration with research institute, MRIGlobal, and CBRN detection device manufacturers, including Teledyne FLIR.

The JPEO-CBRND partnered with MRIGlobal and ForgeFX Simulations to produce The CBNRD HoloTrainer, a networked multiuser Microsoft HoloLens 2 augmented reality training simulator for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear detection device operators. This presentation will cover the entire project lifecycle, including government requirements and the development of holographically projected interactive virtual equipment, culminating in deployment to soldiers. The CBRND HoloTrainer is a groundbreaking spatial computing application that significantly increases the effectiveness of its users.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/-yOnL3D_kp8

Vancouver Siggraph 2014

ForgeFX would like to thank everyone who stopped by our booth at Siggraph last week. The International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques attracted over 14,000 artists, game developers, and filmmakers from more than 70 countries gathering to experience the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques.


Greg Meyers, ForgeFX President, demonstrating job-training simulations at Siggraph 2014

This year's conference had more than 40,000 square feet of exhibit space hosting more than 170 participating companies showcasing their products and services. From the release of the Oculus Rift DK2, to Intel's demonstration of the new DirectX 12 API, to Sony's Morpheus virtual reality head-mounted display running on a PC—there was something from everyone at this year's Siggraph.

 


Oculus Rift Development Kit 2

Oculus VR, makers of the low-latency virtual reality headset that combines stereoscopic 3D with head movement tracking, demonstrated their new Oculus DK2. The new version is a huge improvement in our opinion, and something that is ready for deployment for virtual job training simulations.

"SIGGRAPH 2014 offered an incredible exhibition experience, innovative and inspiring content, and celebrated the impact that graphics and technology can have in everyday life." 

Dave Shreiner, SIGGRAPH 2014 Conference Chair. 



David Vaillancourt, ForgeFX Chief Creative Officer, demonstrating one of our Oculus VR-based training simulator 

ForgeFX had a great time demonstrating our work to everyone who braved the long lines to get their hands on our simulators, including our job training simulators that utilized the Oculus Rift. If didn't get a chance to try them out at please feel free to contact us to schedule a demonstration, or come find us later this year at DevLearn or I/ITSEC. 

 

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Technology Enables Ground Support Equipment Training

Airside International article: Technology Enables GSE Training.

This article discusses the 3D training simulator ForgeFX developed for Global Ground Support. Airside International is a quarterly magazine aimed at airport authorities, airlines, equipment providers, and infrastructure developers. The article includes an interview with Jeffrey Walsh, Vice President of Sales and Service for Global Ground Support, Greg Meyers, President for ForgeFX, and Adam Kane, Technical Director for ForgeFX.



Global Ground Support offers the market the 3D simulation software developed by ForgeFX as part of a package with their equipment. The first simulator was delivered in December 2007 to JetBlue. The deicing simulation has been a huge success and has generated an incredible amount of interest. Global has a simulator with a customer who does not even have any of their trucks, but because the controls are very similar between competitors’ vehicles and their vehicles, they get a lot of the benefit from the 3D simulator.

It is possible to train a ground support operator to use a deicer correctly through simulation-based training in just 30 minutes. In the past, companies would take their new employees, put them through 8, 12, or 16 hours of classroom deicing training, then they would put them in a truck for one, two, or four hours depending upon the customer to teach them how to use the truck. Unfortunately, most of this training took place in August, September, or October. Those new employees might not actually spray an aircraft for several months, they then get into a very complicated piece of equipment in which to perform difficult tasks in a timely fashion. The only piece of equipment on the ramp that is more complicated to operate than a deicer is an aircraft, this clearly demonstrates the need for high quality training.

The training simulation goes beyond just teaching an employee how the controls of the truck work. It gets into the whys of the actual deicing process. It trains not only on truck operation but also on the processes and procedures involved in deicing an aircraft correctly, safely, and cost effectively.

Jeffrey Walsh, Vice President of Sales and Service for Global Ground Support, was able to take his 20 years of airline, airport, deicing, and flying experience; couple it with ForgeFX's simulation development expertise, to create a new deicing training program that brought deicing and simulators to the next level. Global Ground Support is striving to make this simulation equipment increasingly real every day. The next update to the simulator will show the fluid flowing off the wings. It will also have wind speed and wind direction and all sorts of other components that make it even more real. Simulations can never be too real.

Full article: Technology Enables GSE Training
Project case study: Interactive 3D deicing training simulator.

Global Ground Support and ForgeFX Partner to Develop an Interactive 3D Deicing Training Simulator

San Francisco, CA, United States, 02/09/2009 - ForgeFX, a leading interactive 3D simulation and serious game developer, has produced and deployed an aircraft deicing training simulator for Global Ground Support's clients. The simulator allows airport ground support equipment operators to train for the deicing process with more flexibility and a lower cost than traditional training.



Ice, snow, freezing rain, and other contaminants can build up on an aircraft making it dangerous to fly. Deicing is a complex, multi-step process that if done properly returns the aircraft to a clean safe state.

Proper deicing is mission critical, requires a high level of dexterity and spatial relations ability, an intimate knowledge of the aircraft, and the impact of different weather conditions. The challenge is that training is costly, requires the availability of expensive equipment, and must be comprehensive, covering a wide variety of factors including plane type, weather conditions, time of day, wind speed, contamination type, etc.

Global Ground Support’s simulator, based on their model 2200TEAP, addresses these issues. The simulation allows the user to train across a variety of factors. The training simulation offers the ability for users to practice and take a performance test while deicing a virtual aircraft. The simulation tracks the performance of users and records their scores for review by the instructor. The simulation provides both an overall score, as well as a detailed score breakdown, for each simulation session. This scoring system encourages healthy competition among users while learning the correct procedures.

The operator sits in a virtual cab which is attached to a boom arm, which is attached to a truck. The operator of the simulation has full control over the 2200TEAP’s boom arm, cab rotation, truck location, nozzle settings, fluid selection, cab lights, type of plane, time of day, and weather conditions. This gives airlines the ability to train their operators without risking damage to the real-world equipment. Also, virtual training doesn’t use up consumables such as fuel and expensive fluids. Deicing operators must be careful when deicing an aircraft, since a collision between deicing equipment and a plane is costly. A collision requires planes to be grounded and flight delays - a costly mistake in reality becomes a valuable lesson when simulated.

Case Study: Interactive 3D Deicing Training Simulator

ForgeFX’s solid track record in the development of effective simulation products was key to Global Ground Support‘s selection of the ForgeFX team. Representing industry leaders such as Adobe, Pearson Education, Farmers Insurance, Heifer International, and Pfizer, ForgeFX consistently delivers interactive 3D simulations that help achieve their client’s project goals while optimizing their bottom lines.