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VRAI
IGP Priority
Next Generation Installation and Operations & Maintenance
Support received
Funding support
Virtual reality (VR) for data-driven simulation training, improving performance in high hazard environments.
Well established start-up with strong reputation in defence sector.
Company was growing, attracting business and investment.
No prior experience in Offshore Wind sector.
Business profile
OWGP’s funding enabled VRAI, in partnership with Durham University, to understand market segments and customer needs in the Offshore Wind sector. VRAI developed a VR training simulation prototype for the Offshore Wind market with industry expertise from Vestas and Port of Blyth Training Services.
VR training tailored specifically to the Offshore Wind industry.
Data capture and insights allow trainers to assess progress and improve outcomes.
A pay-as-you-go model, removing the cost barrier of developing bespoke VR training.
172,000 more people will need to be trained to Global Wind Organisation (GWO) standards to meet the market demand over the next five years. VRAI’s VR training creates immersive training environments which accurately replicate the reality of working offshore.
Technicians can learn and test safety and technical skills in a controlled but realistic environment before experiencing it in reality.
VRAIʼs training can be undertaken almost anywhere using a portable headset and removing constraints of access to equipment or instructors, making it ideal for deploying standardised training on a global scale.
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Developed a VR fire awareness training
Attracted further investment.
Expanded staff in the North East of England by 60%.
Before
Prior to engaging with OWGP, VRAI was a well-established start-up with clients in a range of sectors including defence and aviation. Motivated to support the global transition to renewable energy, VRAI identified the Offshore Wind market as an exciting new business opportunity, recognising VR training would be ideal in this environment and was not yet widely in use. Forming a partnership with Simon Hogg, Ørsted Professor in Renewable Energy at Durham University, and Evelyn Tehrani, Durham Energy Institute, VRAI applied to the OWGP Cross Sector Call in 2020 for grant funding. VRAIʼs goals were to use the funding to conduct a training needs analysis, develop relationships with subject matter experts, and create a VR training module prototype aligned to one of the GWO training standards.
What they say
“
Working with OWGP has been hugely successful, opening up a whole new sector for our business. The results have enabled us to secure further investment and new industry relationships to develop additional training content and applications for data capture and analytics. We’re very excited about the opportunities ahead."
FRAN MCNULTY
Sustainability Lead, VRAI
