Virtual reality to support FMD training

Phase 1 Report

Publication Details

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
ISBN 978-1-76003-387-3
Prepared for the department by Novus Res

Phase 2 Report

Publication Details

Summary

Phase 1

This phase 1 report was the outcome of a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry request for a review of virtual reality (VR) and how the technology could be implemented in support of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) training.

The primary objective of the Phase 1 report is to describe how VR could be used to create cost-effective and expandable training applications for the animal handling and biosecurity sectors. It focusses on how the technology can be used for training in the early-stage detection and investigation of suspected FMD cases. The findings of the report are supported by a demonstration of VR application.

Phase 2

The second phase of the ‘VR to support FMD training’ project has been completed. Phase 2 involved trialling an updated VR experience that operates on the Meta Quest 2 headset (formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2).

The key points from these trials are as follows:

• Users unfamiliar with VR technology may experience more challenges with the experience.
• In general, the department’s role should be to work with training providers to incorporate VR technology into relevant training modules where appropriate.
• In general VR should be used to augment other training modalities, rather than as the sole delivery method.
• VR technology is most useful for giving people a sense of novel environments, examining 3D objects, and coarse hands-on motor skills.
• There are challenges with distribution of the experience, and also due to the rapid pace of development of the technology. These need to be overcome to make widespread use of this technology for training.