CREATIVE WORK

Years ago, during my tenure with a previous employer, I had the opportunity to develop an e-learning module focused on teaching individuals the set-up, operation, disassembly, and cleaning procedures for a food processing machine called Delinker. While the e-learning module proved to be an effective training resource, I always envisioned taking the concept further by utilizing virtual reality technology. Thus, building upon my prior work, I created this immersive experience as a proof of concept.

The core sections of the experience include "Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)," "Set-up," and "Operation," with the sections "Disassemble" and "Cleaning" not being included due to time constraints. In this simulation, users are guided to approach a designated PPE collection point before gathering and assembling the machine's various components. Each part is visually highlighted as a helpful guide; only compatible components will securely lock in place. Once all the parts have been properly adjusted, users are instructed to power the machine and activate the conveyor belts. As part of the original procedure, users have the ability to adjust the machine's speed and manipulate the rear sliding door. Finally, users prepare for the operation phase once all elements are functioning smoothly.

This VR project was developed using the Unity3D engine and the HTC VIVE Pro. The machine itself was meticulously modelled using Autodesk Maya, while the conveyor belt was crafted with the assistance of Blender. Optimization was one of the most challenging aspects of the application, as physics and collision events significantly impacted the frame rate. However, I overcame this challenge by fine-tuning the physics settings, implementing simplified colliders, and reducing the overall geometry. Working on this project provided me with firsthand experience of the advantages offered by the heightened level of presence and immersion inherent in VR and 3D applications, surpassing those of traditional 2D desktop platforms.