Virtual and augmented reality are transforming the training and education scene. Using immersive technologies to bring simulations to life, organizations are discovering new frontiers for skills development, enhancing both learning outcomes and the user experience.
This article explores several leading platforms leveraging the power of VR, AR, and mixed reality to revolutionize how we learn. From improving campus tours to offering enterprise-scale skills training, these innovative solutions demonstrate VR’s untapped potential for delivering engaging, effective training programs anywhere in the world.
CampusTours: Virtual Reality Software Transforming Campus Tours and Maps
Virtual reality software is impacting unexpected places, including college campuses. One company at the forefront of this revolution is CampusTours, which has been developing innovative virtual tour and interactive mapping solutions since 1997.
Let’s take a closer look at two of their prime products, changing how prospective students and visitors experience campuses.
AnyMap: Bringing Any Map to Life
CampusTours’ AnyMap is a versatile interactive mapping platform that works with virtually any type of map graphic, from traditional illustrations to aerial photographs. This flexibility allows institutions to showcase their campus in a way that best reflects their unique character and environment.
Key Features:
- Compatible with any map style or aerial photograph
- Integrated wayfinding and directions
- Satellite map integration
- Guided tour capabilities
- Responsive design for seamless use across devices
- Virtual reality scene support
- GPS-enabled location awareness for mobile users
The real power of AnyMap lies in its ability to transform static maps into dynamic, interactive experiences. Visitors can explore campus layouts, get directions between locations, and even take guided tours – all from within the map interface. This level of engagement helps prospective students and their families better visualize themselves on campus, even if they can’t visit in person.
AnyTour: Immersive Virtual Experiences
While AnyMap focuses on bringing maps to life, AnyTour takes the virtual campus experience to the next level. This customizable content-managed virtual tour platform allows organizations to create comprehensive multimedia tours that capture the essence of their institution.
Key Features:
- Integration with AnyMap for a seamless experience
- Video tour capabilities
- Support for student and faculty commentaries
- Virtual reality scenes for immersive exploration
- Multiple language support
- GPS-enabled features for on-campus use
AnyTour shines in its ability to let the campus community speak for itself. Visitors get authentic insights into campus life by incorporating video commentaries from students, faculty, and staff. The platform’s support for guided video tours, panoramic explorations, and even virtual reality scenes creates a rich, multifaceted experience far beyond traditional virtual tours.
Both AnyMap and AnyTour share some core values that set them apart in the virtual tour landscape:
- Flexibility: The ability to work with any map or integrate various multimedia elements allows institutions to create tours that genuinely reflect their identity.
- Accessibility: With responsive design and mobile optimization, these tools ensure that virtual tours are available to anyone, anywhere, on any device.
- Engagement: By incorporating interactive elements, video content, and VR capabilities, these platforms create more engaging and memorable user experiences.
- Customization: Institutions have complete control over their content, allowing them to update and manage their tours easily as campus changes or new features are needed.
Looking to the Future
While CampusTours has already established itself as a leader in virtual campus experiences, the company continues to innovate. As VR tech evolves, we can expect to see even more immersive and interactive features added to both AnyMap and AnyTour.
Strivr: Revolutionizing Enterprise Training
Founded in 2015 by Derek Belch at Stanford University, Strivr originated from researching how virtual reality could enhance athletic performance for collegiate sports teams. Belch discovered that training athletes in VR resulted in measurable skill improvement carried over to the physical field. It led him to recognize VR’s potential for workforce skills development.
By 2016, Strivr had shifted its focus to enterprises, partnering with leaders like Bank of America, MGM Resorts, and Walmart to deliver immersive training experiences on a global scale.
Strivr’s software powers large-scale XR deployments for Fortune 1000 companies. Their platform allows centralized content, device, and data management across thousands of locations worldwide. Organizations can leverage off-the-shelf or custom VR courses produced by Strivr’s award-winning content studio to train core competencies.
Key Features:
- Scalable learning experiences are accessible on all major VR and XR headsets, including Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, and Pico Neo, as well as web browsers
- Library of 600+ pre-built courses covering diverse topics from safety to soft skills
- Custom content design, production, and analytics services
- Enterprise-grade security, privacy, and device management capabilities
- Advanced behavioral data capturing over 100 data points per second
Strivr prioritizes teamwork, inclusion, accountability, customer focus, and continuous evolution. They believe that by strengthening human performance through VR, workforces will attain new levels of engagement, confidence, and operational excellence.
Looking to the Future
With continued innovation and 2.8 million training sessions delivered, Strivr remains committed to redefining learning and development through extended reality. The company’s recent release of an app for Apple Vision Pro indicates its commitment to embracing cutting-edge hardware.
Sketchbox: Pioneering the Future of Immersive Learning
Sketchbox provides an end-to-end VR training and assessment platform that helps organizations deliver more engaging, effective training at a lower cost. They aim to build “the world’s best immersive learning platform, where one can learn anything, from anywhere, without ever setting foot in a classroom or training facility.” Funded by Y Combinator, General Catalyst, and other top-tier VCs, Sketchbox is on a mission to create the world’s best immersive learning platform.
Key Features
- AI Instruction Engine: Provides individualized learning plans, allowing students to progress independently.
- Real-Time Collaboration: Enables remote learning with up to 25 simultaneous participants, regardless of geographical location.
- No-Code Scenario Builder: Empowers subject matter experts to create VR learning content easily without technical expertise.
- Sketchbox Insights: Offers configurable dashboards for in-depth student performance and progress analytics.
- User and Device Management: Centralizes control of VR devices and user accounts for efficient administration.
- Gamification Engine: Applies motivational elements of game theory to VR training simulations.
Sketchbox operates with a few key values that guide its work:
- Efficiency: Customers like the U.S. Air Force have reported a 25% reduction in training time and $100,000 saved per student.
- Scalability: The platform is designed to handle large-scale deployments across multiple locations.
- Flexibility: Supports various VR headsets, including Vive, Rift, Quest, and Pico, with easy integration into existing Learning Management Systems.
- Security: Offers FedRAMP-compliant solutions and on-premise deployment options for sensitive data.
- Customization: The no-code scenario builder allows for rapid creation and updating of training content.
Looking to the Future
Sketchbox’s technology already delivers impressive results for aviation, oil, gas, and manufacturing sectors. Looking ahead, Sketchbox is working towards a future where geographical and other barriers to accessing opportunities disappear.
Cognitive3D: Revolutionizing VR Analytics
Founded in 2015, Cognitive3D began with a vision to transform how human behavior is studied and analyzed through immersive technologies. The company recognized VR, AR, and MR as uniquely data-rich opportunities and developed the first platform specifically for spatial analytics.
Initially targeting consumer research applications, Cognitive3D supports various industries, including training simulations, academic research, games, and more. With the help of its global team, the company continues refining its platform to unlock ever-deeper insights from virtual environments.
Key Features
- SceneExplorer: This feature allows users to review individual session replays in 3D, providing a comprehensive view of participant behavior and performance.
- Scene Viewer: Get a bird’s-eye view of your VR environment with aggregated metrics displayed on a 3D dollhouse model of your scene.
- Dynamic Objects: Gain deep insights into how users interact with specific objects in your virtual environment.
- Objectives System: Define and measure success in your 3D simulations by breaking down sequential and non-sequential steps.
- ExitPoll: Collect valuable survey results and identify pain points directly within the VR experience.
- Eye Tracking and Biometric Sensors: Understand exactly what captures users’ attention and how they physiologically react to different elements in the simulation.
Cognitive3D sets itself apart through several core values:
- Seamless Integration: The platform’s SDK easily integrates with Unity and Unreal engines, supporting various VR/AR devices, PCs, and mobile platforms.
- Actionable Insights: By transforming complex spatial data into clear, actionable insights, Cognitive3D empowers developers and researchers to make informed decisions that drive product improvement.
- Versatility: From training simulations and consumer research to academic studies and game development, Cognitive3D caters to a wide array of use cases.
- Privacy and Security: With a strong emphasis on data protection, Cognitive3D offers enterprise-grade security to safeguard sensitive information.
Looking to the Future
Cognitive3D continues enhancing its platform to unlock deeper contextual insights from virtual worlds. As VR infiltrates new domains, its analytics will help measure impact and fuel the next generation of immersive experiences.
Ultraleap: A Giant Leap Forward for Natural Interaction
Ultraleap, formed in 2019 when Leap Motion and Ultrahaptics joined forces, is revolutionizing how we interact with virtual environments. The company’s mission is simple yet ambitious: to make digital worlds feel more human.
Key Features:
- Leap Motion Controller 2: The star of Ultraleap’s lineup is the second-generation Leap Motion Controller. This iconic hand-tracking camera is designed to bring natural interaction to VR experiences. By saying goodbye to clunky controllers, users can interact with virtual environments using their hands, creating a more intuitive and immersive experience.
- Ultraleap 3Di: For public spaces and interactive displays, Ultraleap offers the 3Di, a ruggedized hand-tracking camera. This device is perfect for digital out-of-home (DOOH) applications, retail environments, museums, and theme parks, bringing touchless interaction to shared spaces.
Key Values
- Natural Interaction: Ultraleap’s technologies eliminate the need for controllers or wearables, allowing users to interact with digital content as naturally as they would with physical objects.
- Accessibility: By removing barriers to entry, Ultraleap’s solutions open up VR and AR to a broader, more diverse community of users.
- Hygiene and Safety: Touchless interfaces are increasingly important in public spaces, and Ultraleap’s technology addresses this need effectively.
- Versatility: Ultraleap’s technologies can be applied across various use cases and industries, from VR headsets to public kiosks.
Looking to the Future
Ultraleap continues to innovate in the field of spatial computing. Their recent launch of Hyperion, a next-generation tracking software platform, which indicates an ongoing development in improving hand tracking accuracy and performance.
Final Thoughts
As immersive technologies continue to advance, pushing the boundaries of presence, interaction, and realism, their role in training will likewise evolve to astonishing levels. Ultimately, learners everywhere will benefit from unprecedented access to opportunities that transcend all barriers.
