Often, hearing the term virtual reality, people have a visualization in their heads on which teenagers play video games using various devices and adaptations. But in fact, this technology is much deeper and more serious, it can be useful in various fields and even save human lives. For some time now, rescue services have been practicing these technologies in preparation for real life-threatening situations.
Virtual reality projects various accidents, emergencies, attacks, and more. So, rescuers can completely immerse themselves in the process and practice, improve their skills and dexterity.
One of the superior corporations, The Astronauts Guild, claims that in the process of training using mixed reality technologies, a specialist gets a more realistic picture of actions than during standard training. The specialist receives more emotional training, without compromising his health. Also, virtual reality technologies can protect rescuers from psychological trauma.
If a specialist fails his first assignment in real life and this leads to disastrous consequences or death of citizens, he may have rejection and unwillingness to work more in this sector. But if he fails during the mission in the virtual world, it can ease the consequences. Faced with failure, after removing the entire VR headset, the student will be able to reflect on their mistakes and draw conclusions. He will already be prepared for all kinds of action scenarios.
Experts in the field of modern technology are confident that soon, almost all future doctors, firefighters, and police will be able to use the benefits of mixed reality during the training stages. For developers, the number one issue now is to create a system that can be used in almost all conditions.
The most striking examples of the use of augmented and virtual reality in the provision of emergency care.
1. Extraordinary circumstances during air travel
Of course, airlines, like other spheres involved in the transportation of citizens, need protection. No one is safe from terrorists, bandits, and disasters during the flight. This is why airport security and stewards must be trained to deal with these situations. VR technology can help them in this.
Thanks to the development of EON Reality, it is possible to create a realistic picture of emergencies. The developers offer the airport staff to practice on the created digital model of the premises. After passing the tests on the simulator and full immersion in VR in which the disaster situation is broadcast, employees will be able to analyze the entire situation and their actions. This will greatly improve your training efficiency.
2. Training in methods of countering terrorism
It is very difficult to imagine a restrained reaction to a terrorist act because in such a stressful state the whole theory of preventing and resisting invaders is instantly forgotten. But, thanks to the developments of the leading European corporation in the field of virtual reality, it has become possible to practice actions and behavior during terrorist attacks and their prevention. This can significantly improve the training process for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and rescuers.
The developed system AUGGMED has already been tested in the Greek port. It was used to report on the behavior of personnel in response to threats and hostage-taking by terrorists on a ship on the high seas. In the process, both AR and VR were used. As a result, the trainees were expected to assess the ongoing events, their reactions, as well as possible ways to solve the problem, without victims and panic.
3. Improving Disaster Management Practices
For a successful emergency rescue operation, it is necessary to know all the dangers in advance. It is necessary to consider all possible options for the course of events in an emergency. For example, a flood can cut off all transport links, which in turn makes it impossible to provide first aid using a conventional ambulance.
AR systems synchronize the real with the digital. A person will be able to plunge into the emergency mode online and feel all the moments to the maximum. All the information is quite detailed, you can see the exact details up to the names of streets and cultural monuments.
4. Transportation of rescuers and specialists
Usually, the police arrive at the facility first of all other services. Even well-trained detectives who have undergone rigorous training cannot always adequately solve the problem; they lack practice and experience.
The Netherlands began to implement AR when training police officers to work in difficult situations. They can view the scene of an incident remotely and help their colleagues solve the problem. Besides, it became possible to record a terrorist act with its subsequent transfer to the court for demonstration.
5. Visibility through the smoke
The developer has managed to create a device with a built-in camera capable of recognizing objects through the smoke. The headset includes a C-Thru lens that attaches to the helmet and reproduces the features of objects.
This virtual reality system can help in case of fire when smoke spreads throughout the house. Thanks to a special camera, data is transmitted to the display, and special sensors can show the level of toxicity. Such a system will help firefighters to do their job several times faster and more productively. The extra reality makes the job much safer.
6. Health control
Large techno corporations have developed unique digital monitors that are capable of recognizing movement. This will simplify the work of doctors in extreme situations since the system allows you to diagnose the disease from a distance. Now the doctor does not need to be close to the patient to heal him, just look at the touch monitor.
A special projection display can monitor the patient and his condition. All that is needed is to be connected to devices that check the indicators of the state of human health. In critical situations, a second doctor can connect to the system for help and advice.
7. Recognizing criminals on the street
In China, they began to test AR glasses that are capable of recognizing faces, thereby finding the necessary personality in the crowd. This development is most useful for police officers who are involved in catching criminals.
The gadget can scan a person's identity, find his fingerprints in the database and ID cards. After collecting the necessary information, it will be transferred to the appropriate headquarters. It is not entirely clear whether the intelligence services of other countries will be able to use this system because it violates human rights.
Every year, the world's leading companies demonstrate their innovative technical developments in the field of virtual reality. So, at Operation Convergence Response, many new systems were presented, including the 5G First Responder Lab, which was created to help novice developers.