The Challenge
For most businesses, communicating product knowledge is largely a matter of producing web pages, brochures, and presentations. But when, like Thales, you’re operating in several high-tech industries on a global basis, the challenge of imparting timely, accurate (often complex) knowledge grows exponentially.
Here’s the problem. You can publish as much information as your budget allows but will people find the time to study it? And, if they do, how well will they remember it in a few weeks’ time? We all struggle with information overload from time to time.
Interested in exploring alternative ways in which employees gain and assimilate product knowledge,Thales set about creating a compelling virtual reality user experience using the Immerse software development kit and Virtual Reality (VR) platform.
What we did
To demonstrate its ideas and gauge the users reactions, Thales developed a proof-of-concept Virtual Reality Engagement Pod.. The pod lets up to three employees use VR headsets with hand controllers to learn about three core products, services and innovations. The headsets give people the ability to interact with 3D representations of Thales’s avionics technology, through a compelling and immersive experience.
Because Thales wanted to engage as many people as possible, its team created an experience that encourages people to pick up a headset at any time, either on their own or with colleagues, and be immediately transported to a virtual world of Thales tech.
Each session is interactive and entirely unique, as visitors navigate through the 3D journey in the way which most interests them. Along the way, games, quizzes and puzzles are used to reinforce key learning points and to make the experience even more fun.
The system works well but this is just the start. The potential exists to scale the system in the future, delivering powerful customer experiences regardless of geographical location.
What this means
- Memorable – ‘knowledge that sticks’ helps everyone to understand key sales points and to communicate this to customers and partner
- Convenient – employees can learn at their own pace, in the way that suits them best
- Effective – provides a memorable experience through immersive technology
- Scalable – pods can be interconnected to increase and expand user experiences