Shared immersive technology aids military training

Leading combat-training organisation Cubic Defence UK has found an answer to its investigation into how new and innovative immersive technologies can provide simulation training for soldiers. Cubic’s Synthetic Wrap – delivered with Igloo Vision’s shared immersive technology – is a portable virtual training dome that can simulate a variety of battlefield environments. Synthetic Wrap has been successfully used in providing bespoke training events for soldiers from several NATO nations and pre-deployment training for soldiers in the UK, Canada and Kenya.

Traditional training methods are still crucial to how armed forces operate but the addition of simulated and virtual elements increases training proficiency and operational effectiveness, provides a variety of different scenarios, and reduces the costs and risks of training. This makes it ideal in helping defence organisations prepare for an ever-growing number of threats.

Cubic’s Synthetic Wrap expands the instrumented live training environment with the addition of virtual and constructive training systems. Paired with Igloo’s six-metre dome, equipped with 360° immersive projection and surround sound, trainees can step into a brand-new environment where commands can be issued to them as if they were in a live scenario. The virtual world then adapts to the decisions and actions they take.

“You can get a whole team in here, which means the dynamic you expect to take place on a battlefield actually happens,” says Neale Smiles, operations manager at Cubic Defence UK. “Once the door shuts and the instructor leaves, they very rapidly - within 30 seconds - start to behave as they really would in a real-life situation.”

One such situation has been for training artillery observers. In the field, these spotters act as the ‘eyes’ of the guns. They scan the field with binoculars and other target acquisition systems, look for targets and call for fire from the gun batteries - who can be several miles behind them - and observe rounds land.

Teams of three or four trainees are placed within the Synthetic Wrap, with all the tools and trappings of the field. Data from exercises currently underway is transmitted into the 360° projection in real-time, so real soldiers, vehicles and locations appear within the virtual world. The observers develop their assist skills in landing the rounds correctly and in guiding the gun battery over the radio to readjust for subsequent targets.

“High-quality, accurate immersion through Igloo technology is the first step to making trainees feel they are in the field,” says Colin Yellowley, R&D director at Igloo Vision. “Authenticity is the second. Inside an immersive dome, trainees can still use their equipment and interact with their teammates as normal. You can’t do that with, say, a VR headset.”

Cubic’s findings show that trainees find the training enjoyable and that they can readily put it into practice. Young recruits especially find it intuitive, being familiar with similar technology through video games.

For more information

• Using shared immersive technology to train military personnel