Virtual Reality and Mine Safety Training

University of Nevada, Reno n Pierre Mousset-Jones n Fred Harris n Ben Lucchesi n Nerissa Oberlander

This work was partially sponsored by: n Echo Bay Minerals n Newmont Gold n Nevada Division of Industrial Relations n Mine Safety Health Administration

Training Vehicle Operators: Expensive but Necessary n Downside to training –man hours for training n qualified trainer available n employee not working while training –equipment for training n truck taken out of production n Upside to training –increased productivity n less downtime due to equipment failure n less downtime due to employee injury

Current Training Methods n Written Material –pamphlets –training manuals n Training Videos n Seminars with trainer n Live inspection of truck with trainer

Deficiency of these Training methods n Books and videos are static learning material n Memorization of process without experience … A new training method is needed n People learn by doing = Interactive training = Interactive training n Non-static + Interactive training = Experience n Training aid is able to simulate many situations = non-static = non-static

Project Goal n Provide an alternative method of training through simulation –focus less on memorizing and more on doing n Make the simulation interactive –make the trainee perform and as well as evaluate performance n Make the simulation configurable –don’t give the trainee the benefit of memorizing the training simulation - change it every time –help the trainee understand how their training will apply to the real world through experience

Virtual Reality n Our implementation combines –3D graphics n displays information –User input n user interaction with appropriate device

3D graphics n Draw objects, not pictures

User input n Facilitate movement in 3D world n Intuitive use

VR and Mine Safety Training n Apply VR technology to training –simulate real world situations –allow users to practice skills n Examples: –vehicle inspection (MVIS) –driver training (MVDS) –underground rescue and evacuation (future work)

MVIS (Mine Vehicle Inspection Simulation) n Simulate pre-operational vehicle inspection –3D image of vehicle in world –parts on vehicle are damaged n User interaction –user moves around vehicle –user inspects parts n Configurable –damaged parts are selected ahead of time –configurations can be saved for reuse

MVIS Demo n Open Scene file n Scenario selection –configure at runtime –select pre-configured scenario n Start inspection –inspect parts on vehicle n Stop inspection n View inspection results

MVIS Future Work n Model configurator –dissect raw model n Scenario setup –easy configuration n Result evaluator –easy performance evaluation –statistical analysis –animation of inspection

MVDS (Mine Vehicle Driving Simulation) n Simulate vehicle operation in a surface mine –Simulate vehicle performance –Simulate mining operation (other vehicles, equipment, people, hazards, …) n Configuration –use custom pits –use company vehicles

MVDS Demo n Current version is a proof of concept –demonstrates custom mine usage n import DTM file format –demonstrates scenario setup n save scenario configuration –demonstrates simple interaction n drive in saved scenario

MVDS Future Work n enhanced physics model –vehicle movement –environment interaction n enhanced graphics n multi-user support n performance evaluation

Other projects n Underground rescue and evacuation training n ventilation simulation (fire, smoke, … )

Other people’s work n Accident recreation –computer animation –video clips