Virtual reality to make an impact
In the not-to-distant future, seven-year-old Marika Noble could be looking at her dad's mine site, in real time.
The use of virtual reality headsets to help families understand and appreciate the unfamiliar surrounds of a mine site is just one element of an emerging virtual world, created by Los Angeles-based Oculus VR and Curtin University.
At an event at Deloitte's Perth offices yesterday, a select few from Perth's mining industry were given an insight into how the virtual world could work, with some in the room suggesting it could also transform training and safety methods.
"There are so many possibilities," Deloitte partner Coert Du Plessis said, as industry representatives tested a safety scenario using virtual reality goggles.
"For the safety example, people remember issues more when something happens to them, so if you can simulate that in a virtual world it will stick in their mind."
Early reports suggest Oculus VR, which was bought by Facebook for $US2 billion ($2.13 billion) in March, is planning to sell the "Oculus Rift" headsets - which are still in the testing stage - for about $US300 each.
The company is aiming at the gaming market, with a predicted release next year.
But through programs being created by a team at Curtin University the technology also opened up other possibilities, with yesterday's group suggesting it could replace expensive simulator machines used by miners and contractors for training.
BGC Contracting national safety manager Mike Gear said he had reservations about new technology but agreed the potential savings meant it was an area the company would look into.
Seven-year-old Marika - whose dad works FIFO in the Pilbara - said it would be "pretty cool" to see his worksite in a virtual world.
