Forestry is among the industries most impacted by the push towards automation and machine learning – with new technology helping to plant new seedlings, grow new types of wood, manufacture and transport the next generation of higher-value forest products.
Now, Australian researchers are using virtual reality (or VR) to tackle one of the industry’s greatest challenges—the skills shortage —thanks to a new immersive tool that can rapidly train workers risk-free, anywhere.
The Mills Skills VR tool uses virtual reality across various scenarios, immersing users in a 3D environment that simulates all aspects of forestry practices, training them in a risk-free setting.
“For the untrained, the forest industry is inherently risky, especially in the mills because it involves large, heavy machinery,” according to Dr Andrew Cunningham, an immersive technology expert at the University of South Australia.
“It is also a fast-moving and busy environment, so if we can train workers to recognise the hazards and equip them with the skills before they step into the mill, it’s better for everyone.”
Dr Cunningham has spent the past year working alongside the Green Triangle Forest Industry Hub—now home to Australia’s second-largest plantation and wood processing zone—to deliver the headsets to South Australian mills ahead of a national rollout.
“A significant benefit is that the trainees can use the VR tool anywhere in Australia, with a virtual reality headset, saving time and costs in flying them halfway across the country,” according to a media statement provided to Wood Central by the University of South Australia.
According to Josh Praolini, the Green Triangle Forestry Hub’s Workforce Development Manager, the VR training model could completely reshape how training is delivered to workers not only in forestry but also in other safety-focused environments, including building, construction and manufacturing.
“Currently, we rely on access to trainers and machinery, an essential part of the mill operations. By training recruits on these machines, you slow or halt production and expose them to potential risks,” Mr Praolini said.
This virtual reality tool allows us to safely introduce recruits to multiple scenarios they could encounter in the mill, as well as offering updated training to existing workers without impacting day-to-day operations of the mill.
Beyond VR training, researchers currently use immersive analytics tools to gather data on plantations and view the trees virtually in a 3D environment, checking for defects, wood quality and growing conditions.
“The ability to track, monitor and interact in virtual environments opens the door to an exciting future for Australia’s forest industry,” Mr Praolini said. Dr Cunningham is confident the industry’s willingness to embrace new technology will also make it an appealing career choice for high school and university students.
“The forest industry currently supports around 80,000 direct jobs in Australia, but we still need a lot more workers. Virtual reality can take people into a mill and a plantation, showcasing what is involved and the opportunities that lie ahead for a progressive and satisfying career.”
- To learn how the 24 billion dollar Australian forest products industry is now championing training and safety, click here for Wood Central’s exclusive interview with Amanda Bell, the industry’s Forest Industry Safety Manager (FISM).
