Hitachi, a multinational electronics company based in Tokyo, Japan, is using the metaverse to help skilled workers run demonstrations on real-world equipment.
In the metaverse training ground, veteran workers can train workers in real-time from a remote location using virtual reality (VR) technology and off-the-shelf cameras. The technology works by using a ceiling camera and sensor data to re-create Hitachi factories in VR, where instructors demonstrate skills and tasks to workers on the floor.
3D data is processed using proprietary data analysis, and the metaverse operates without any lag. Expert instructors can move their IRL hands to demonstrate the necessary motions, and the workers see virtual counterparts move via their VR headsets. They can then replicate the motions to obtain the knowledge and feel of completing the task.
Via the Hitachi metaverse, instructors can also view the physical worksite from their headsets and move freely about the metaverse factory, which is a precise replica of the actual factory.
Traditionally, Hitachi employees trained on-site, and often had to visit several facilities to pick up new skills. Now, the same quality of training can be achieved remotely, and skilled factory workers can pass on their knowledge to younger generations by running VR demonstrations on real-world equipment.
The move comes at a time when the island-nation’s population is quickly aging. By 2030, it is predicted that up 30% of the Japanese population will be over 65, posing a significant problem for the future of the workforce. This means that the ability of veteran workers to pass knowledge to younger generations will be vital, particularly in infrastructure and manufacturing.
According to the report, the new metaverse tech will be tested at power plants and construction sites in the near future. The company is also considering offering its product outside of the Hitachi ecosystem.
Using the Metaverse for Education Training
The move from Hitachi to employ nascent technologies to train its workforce is big news for Web3, especially considering the company has a market cap of over $61 billion. But Hitachi isn’t the first company we’ve seen using the metaverse to transmit information between student and teacher. At Rarity Sniper, we’ve covered several articles about education and training in the metaverse. Here are the top stories.
First, two months ago, Bank of America announced it had integrated AI technology and the metaverse into its employee training. Through digital and VR simulations, new hires can engage in various work-related scenarios, including responding to security threats and dealing with customers.
Next, about eight months ago, Prisms VR raised $12.5 million in a Series A funding round led by a16z. Prisms aims to strengthen student’s math skills and understanding of abstract concepts through VR tech and 3D experiences.
Lastly, about ten months ago, Renault automakers launched an industrial metaverse that could save the company over $300 million by 2023. The VR metaverse aims to reduce the company’s carbon footprint by up to 50% and reduce delivery times by up to 60%.
While much talk about the metaverse revolves around its function as a digital social space or a new frontier for companies and brands to sell products, its most import utility could be as a place of learning. If Hitachi’s metaverse becomes more efficient at training new workers than traditional methods, we expect we’ll see a lot more similar projects in the future.