The urgent need to quickly and efficiently transfer knowledge from today’s aging workforce to the new generation of workers is one of main reasons industrial organizations invest in simulator-based operator training.
“Process simulation training is vital to prevent incidents and accidents and help new operators understand how to respond quickly and appropriately to worst-case scenarios. While operator training simulators are already well proven in many industries, new virtual reality-based immersive operator training simulator technologies are emerging that create an even more realistic and interactive training environment that is particularly appealing to the new ‘digital generation’ of workers. As a result, these immersive operator training solutions are expanding the scope of the market, as reflected in our research,” according to Janice Abel, the principal author of ARC’s new report, “Operator Training Simulator and Immersive Training Simulator Global Market Research Study”.
Immersive simulators provide a 3D virtual environment in which graphical representations of the users (avatars) interact with the virtual plant or upstream production assets, in many cases, even before the actual asset is completed. Suppliers are developing more and better immersive virtual reality training simulators for control room operators, but also for other types of workers. These simulators are very effective for training workers for hazardous industrial environments, both onshore and offshore.
According to the study, a number of factors will lead to an expanding market for operator training and immersive simulation solutions for the process industries, particularly in selected industrial sectors. The ability to transfer knowledge quickly is a key factor. The new tech-savvy, digital generation workers that are replacing the current workforce often lack the experience needed to operate a plant safely and efficiently. In some emerging countries, workers change jobs on average every two years, and this drives the need for simulator-based operator training solutions.
About the Study
The research study includes information about software technologies, tools, and methodologies for high-fidelity solutions that accurately replicate and simulate plant operations. Training simulators considered in the study include both field and console operator training simulators (OTS), 2D, 3D, generic high-fidelity, dynamic high fidelity, and immersive (virtual reality) training simulator (ITS) applications. Process industries and regional markets are also included. For more information on this study, please visit our Market Research section.
