RIVERTON, WYOMING – Local commercial truck driving instructors, students and employers were introduced to virtual reality this past week (Jan 27) at Wind River Job Corps.

According to training software designer Talon Innovative Solutions of Lander, WY, about 60% of commercial drivers will not pass the pre-drive evaluation when testing for their license. That has economic impact on their families and their employers as they wait out the 3 month period before they can take the test again. As a remedy, Talon has created a VR training environment to help students better prepare for the pre-drive evaluation.

Trucking CEO Clair Anderson and Wind River Job Corps students experience, in virtual reality, a commercial truck pre-drive check by Talon Innovative Solutions of Lander, WY. The group watches on big screen while "players" interact with software through VR goggles.

Virtual Reality (VR) creates a simulated test situation. However, instead of trainees viewing a flat screen, they are fully immersed in a 3D experience that feels more real, and in which they interact using their hands. This kind of training is very effective in medical schools, but Talon is the first (and only) in the nation to apply it to commercial truck driving.

Wearing Oculus goggles, students are presented with a truck. Using their fingers to point, equipment pertinent to the pre-drive is highlighted. Over the student’s shoulder (as if the DMV evaluator) questions are presented that the student must answer to progress. Once the first zone is completed, the student can tele-port to the next zone until they’ve gone completely around the virtual truck and trailer. At the end of the experience, they are presented with a scorecard that let’s them know if they passed the pre-drive, and which zones they should improve. There are numerous opportunities and potential methods for this product within Job Corps.

BTI (Bonneville Transport) was invited to attend the demonstration along with Job Corps staff and students in an effort to develop our new relationship. CEO, Clair Anderson was able to offer students multiple insights as he participated in the VR. BTI transports minerals all over Wyoming and California, and will be able to offer work-based learning opportunities as well as jobs.

For more information about the Talon VR training products contact Cathy Cline, BCL at cline.cathleen@jobcorps.org.