Edmonton, Canada-based firm Serious Labs is supplying virtual reality (VR) simulation training to industrial operators working with equipment such as aerial lifts, cranes, and forklifts.
Serious Labs was founded in 2005 by ex-Bioware developers, who are best known for the blockbuster Mass Effect video game franchise.
Since then, the company has spent 15 years developing its brand, with the vision of bringing video game technology to training simulations.
The firm has produced three in-house VR solutions designed as efficient training alternatives for jobsites.
The news comes after the Government of Alberta awarded Serious Labs $1 million CAD in funding, with Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) also pledging a further $2 million CAD.
Serious Labs plans to use the funds for research and development (R&D) for a commercial truck VR training solution.
Canadian government funding will also help build an ecosystem of developers, who can bring innovative technology to local infrastructure.
Jim Colvin, Serious Labs CEO, explained in an interview with EP&T the University of Alberta contained a thriving talent pool of video game developers within Edmonton.
Mr Colvin said the $3 million in funding reflected “a commitment to building up our technology sector while addressing problems like road safety, the growing driver shortage, and the global threat of climate change.”
The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) is currently working closely with Serious Labs to certify appropriately-skilled VR trainees.
Commercial deployment across Canada and the United States has been set for 2024.
Using Varjo for VR Training
Finnish VR startup Varjo has built a great portfolio of virtual simulations for enterprises to become a great choice of hardware providers for Serious Labs.
In an interview with XR Today, Varjo CIO, Urho Konttori, said he was confident 2021 would be the year VR upscaled in enterprises.
Swedish VR training firm Tenstar Simulation uses Varjo hardware across SOMA college institutes to implement ultra-realistic learning modules.
Varjo also reached a milestone for flight simulators by working with Swedish aerospace and defence firm Saab to create a training solution with an adaptive resolution for pilots.
The company continues to push its innovations with a fresh announcement via webinar on Wednesday.
Mr Konttori tweeted on Tuesday: “Our biggest announce this year is about to happen on the 24th. It’s epic. Actually so epic that it’s probably the biggest announce ever by Varjo.”
