How can you use VR to teach practical skills like carpentry?

This is one of the best uses of VR. It's being used for all kinds of skills, from fire figher training (Flaim Systems) to Aviation Repair (Born.net). You'll need to build the application from the ground up, either in Unity or Unreal, or possibly something like Engage.

VR experiences are great tools for these cases. They help to prevent any injury and let people practice in a safe environment. Practicing about how using a hammer or a specific mechanical machine drives to master a technique avoiding any risk and helping newbies to get skilled faster.

Experiências VR s?o excelentes para treinamento de habilidades operacionais como a carpintaria e entre muitas outras. Através de uma aplica??o imersiva em VR é possível submeter um colaborador à uma simula??o de uma opera??o prática sem exp?-lo aos riscos. Além disso, treinamentos em VR comprovadamente possuem uma curva de aprendizado muito mais acelerada do que o tradicional treinamento teórico.

Carpentry is a common skill that is taught in High schools around the world but it doesn't mean is 100% safe. There is lots of boring safety training a student has to do before they are able to even step foot near some of the equipment. This is where VR can step in, where students can get hands on experience without any of the risk or wasting any material on mistakes that could be expensive over time. Using the tools in VR could also boost the users confidence as they learn its only dangerous if not used correctly.

Un autre aspect majeur de la VR réside dans sa capacité à simuler l'utilisation de divers types de machines et outils, permettant un apprentissage spécifique pour des besoins particuliers. Cela représente une véritable aide pour l'apprentissage, mais également dans la prise de décision concernant l'achat de machines ou d'outils pour le travail. En permettant aux apprenants d'explorer et de se familiariser avec différents équipements virtuels, la VR devient un outil très puissant pour acquérir des compétences et prendre des décisions informées sur l'utilisation des machines dans un domaine spécifique, comme ici la menuiserie.

The headset is important: wireless stand-alone should be preferred over (wired) PCVR to make the setup simpler. A business headset (not consumer) is the best option for maximum flexibility. Haptics and muscle memory are surely important and feedback through the controllers can be very effective. However hand tracking or bringing in real life tools can be a good option as well. Software wise: there are many specific apps for this type of trainings but also authoring solutions which allow to build your own scenarios at a low cost. Consider not only the hardskills, but also risk awareness and general procedural trainings which can be done with simple 360° contents

Haptics are crucial for applications like carpentry which involve training of hand skills. This involves the ability to replicate the pressure of the tools as well as physical feedback when the trainee is deviating from a procedure, which can simply be in terms of vibrations.

Why do you intentionally limiting mixed reality to virtual reality only? Why we are not talking about AR. It seems much more intuitive to teach hands-on skills in AR

You need to first need to consider the headset. You want something that could be used in a woodwork classroom so cables is probably not ideal making standalone the best option. Next is the engine you want to use to create the app. There are two I recommend which are Unreal and Unity. Make sure your assets are mobile friendly otherwise you will have a FPS problem. When creating content for learning a new skill, I always recommend reaching out or partnering up with specialists in the skill and building a curriculum to make sure your users are learning the right skills and the app is showing the proper way to do them.

The best VR carpentry apps I have come across are one called Vrkshop which is a game on Steam that allows users to sandbox their ideas with unlimited materials. And another called VR Carpentry by Up360 which would be more ideal for serious training.

WOOD-ED TABLE by Mimbus reproduces the environment of four different machines like bandsaws, ripsaws, jointers, and shapers, with no risk of injury. It is a full system though, with a special table, glasses, and hand controllers. There are also several VR woodworking experiences, such as Vrkshop or Carpentry VR simulator by UP360.

Users will most likely be using controllers or hand tracking so they will never truly get an idea of what a tool feels like or weighs which is always a surprise when they actually pick up a real tool. This will mean that they will still need a bit of training with the real thing but hopefully it's a lot les due to the knowledge they have learned in VR.

Creating a VR application for simulating carpentry would likely be hard and costly to outsource. However it could be useful and prevent mistakes in carpentry when done right.

These include the potential reluctance of people to engage with VR due to unfamiliarity or discomfort. Thus, it will be essential to teach the teachers first. Prolonged use of VR can lead to issues such as motion sickness or eye strain. Over-reliance on VR for training can potentially isolate individuals from real-world interaction. The cost of developing a VR system for carpentry is high since it requires specific development and maintenance, making it less accessible for smaller businesses. In addition, virtual apps offer limited physical feedback, which is essential for the development of tactile skills and muscle memory in real-world carpentry. This limitation can affect the realism of the simulation and impact training effectiveness.

Don't make the learning modules just a wall of text! Yes they may have to do some reading to tick a box but too often do I see training apps explaining what to do with just text and audio. There is technology out there, such as mocap suits and volumetric videos, that can be used to give the user the feeling that they are getting private one on one training session instead of doing just another mandatory test.

Using VR for learning carpentry is like being in a video game where you can try cutting, measuring, and building with instant feedback on your techniques. VR provides step-by-step guides and allows for practicing complex projects in a simulated environment. This method enhances learning by making it more engaging and memorable, allowing learners to progress at their own pace and try out designs virtually before working on actual materials. Additionally, VR in carpentry education supports collaboration across the globe, offering a diverse learning experience. To make the most of VR, combining it with hands-on practice is essential, providing a comprehensive learning experience that blends traditional skills with innovative technology.

VR offers a unique platform for teaching practical skills like carpentry by providing immersive, interactive simulations. Through VR, learners can engage in lifelike scenarios where they can practice measuring, cutting, and assembling virtual materials in a safe and controlled environment. Detailed feedback mechanisms can be integrated to provide guidance on technique and accuracy, allowing learners to refine their skills iteratively. Additionally, VR simulations can offer diverse scenarios and challenges, accommodating different learning styles and skill levels.