IPS Introduces Virtual Reality Process Simulation

Invensys Process Systems (IPS), a global technology and consulting firm, has revealed its Immersive Virtual Reality Process technology which allows trainees see and interact with the plant and the processes they control.

The solution can create a three-dimensional computer-generated representation of either a real or proposed process plant. Via a stereoscopic headset, users enter a totally immersive environment in which they can move through the plant in any direction and interact with equipment.

IPS' DYNSIM software is used to emulate the plant environment, linking process simulation models with physical spatial models to create possible scenarios that a user could encounter in real life. It has been designed for a wide range of scenarios, including process design, maintenance engineering and plant safety, and IPS expects it to be widely used in the next generation of process training programs.

"The ability to simulate complex processes in connection with virtual actions allows the user to directly experience an environment that changes over time, making it more effective at transferring skills learned in training to the work environment," said Maurizio Rovaglio, director, IPS global consulting.

"And because rarely performed volatile tasks such as plant shutdowns can be rehearsed in a stable, realistic environment, users and operator trainees have the opportunity to learn and make mistakes without putting themselves, the community or the environment at risk. In addition to that, using computer models of real equipment allows endless experimentation without ever taking the equipment off line, mitigating risk to production as well."