Description

The Raymond Virtual Reality Simulator is specifically designed to educate employees on forklift best practices as well as review and enhance current employees’ skill sets — ultimately leading to a more productive workforce and warehouse. An industry first, the tool is used on an existing Raymond® forklift and plugs into the company’s patent-pending sPort (Simulation Port) to create an immersive learning environment for operators.

Under the guidance of a certified instructor, operators progress through a series of standardized lessons within a controlled virtual environment — all while using and learning on the actual controls of the Raymond truck.
The VR lessons, preloaded by truck model, increase in complexity to build upon principles learned in earlier lessons and assist in providing the user with consistent, quality instruction — while reinforcing desired behaviors.

The Raymond Virtual Reality Simulator offers:

• Experience with actual Raymond forklifts and their controls
• Supplementary instruction between the classroom and on-the-floor, hands-on learning
• Immediate feedback from instructors based on the operator’s movements and responses within the virtual environment
• Collection and generation of operator reports — providing documentation of the operator’s progress in which the instructor could use to focus on weak areas and reinforce best practices
• Easy-to-use refresher courses for experienced operators

Innovations

Launched in January 2018, the Raymond Virtual Reality Simulator allows operators to learn in a virtual environment, under the guidance of a certified instructor, while using an actual truck and controls by plugging into Raymond’s patent-pending sPort, or Simulation Port — unlike any competitor’s offerings today. By using a truck that is already part of an existing fleet, companies don’t have to invest in additional equipment that can take up warehouse or distribution center floor space.

Through the simulated environment, operators are taken through a series of standardized lesson modules offered on six different truck models, with only one simulation kit required.
The progressive coaching tool allows operators to learn the skills needed to not only operate a forklift but also manage various types of scenarios that can occur in a warehouse environment. The VR software can simulate scenarios that prepare operators for the unexpected, helping operators familiarize themselves with conditions in the warehouse environment and work through them in a controlled setting rather than experiencing them for the first time on the actual floor.

The Raymond Virtual Reality Simulator also provides a comprehensive picture of operator performance as they progress through the modules. When evaluating which operator may be right for a specific task, having standardized reporting can help managers make data-based decisions on who is best suited for the job.

Market relevance

Some of the biggest challenges the U.S. manufacturing industry is facing are the skills and labor gap and e-commerce demands. Technology like the Raymond Virtual Reality Simulator can help narrow the skills and labor gap by providing a lifelike job experience to uninitiated lift truck operators before they start operating in a warehouse, affording them a real-world experience before entering a busy facility. The Raymond Virtual Reality Simulator makes it easier for lift truck operators to more readily understand what a material handling job entails, by providing early exposure in a static environment on a truck using the actual controls.

This VR learning experience is especially helpful during a time when there are more manufacturing jobs available than there are workers to fill those positions, in part because of negative images of manufacturing and lack of applicable skills. Well-instructed lift truck operators who stay on the job and are given the tools to work efficiency and effectively can help increase their company’s productivity.

In addition, manufacturing executives believe the greatest impact of the skills shortage will be in maintaining or increasing production levels — in line with customer demand — and implementing new technologies while achieving productivity targets. This is especially impactful when consumers are demanding extremely fast — sometimes within 24 hours — product deliveries. And e-commerce is showing no signs of slowing down.

Customer benefits

Customer benefits:

• The tool puts everyone on a level playing — or instructional — field, allowing instructors to better work with everyone at once.
• With immobile trucks and screens, VR instruction makes it easier for instructors to watch multiple operators at once and give immediate feedback while allowing visibility into which associates may need additional practice in certain areas.
• Continuously learning and improving with advanced technology tools can help operators continue to progress with their skills and, ultimately, improve a company’s bottom line productivity.
• VR instruction allows for companies to keep their employees in positions longer term.

User benefits:

• The tool allows operators to learn how to manage various types of scenarios that can occur in a warehouse environment.
• Using VR as an instructional tool makes for a unique way to learn a skill — and to apply outside interests to workplace learning.
• Learning with VR can keep operators more engaged and provide a realistic, hands-on experience before having to perform on the job site.
• The ability for operators to watch their peers progress through the modules serves as an additional way of learning and sets the stage for friendly competition.