- The Mining Engineering Technology faculty at Saskatchewan Polytechnic wanted to enhance their hands-on student learning in surveying with an underground mine site.Â
- The school does not have access to a realistic underground mine setting and was currently using simulated areas on campus to review processes that would have to be applied on the job post-graduation.
- The solution proposed by the TLN team was to create a customized underground mine environment with realistic parameters and dimensions where the students could complete the lab assignment using a fully functional virtual version of a Total Station surveying device. We also proposed doing a simulation of a “PPE Room” where the proper PPE and surveying tools could be selected prior to the survey. We also created a “tag in/out” interactive that would be like the process they would have to follow on an actual mine site.Â
- Creation of a reporting system that detects if the user has selected the correct PPE and tools, logs the user’s actions, and tracking of their use of the Total Station interface.Â
- A functional Total Station that mirrors its real-world functionality. Users can add jobs and station data, aim the laser, and take shots that calculate distances, positions, and angles based on the laser and station data.Â
- Two types of mine environments: hard rock and soft rock.Â
THE FEEDBACK
- Through each stage of the development, the client was shown previews of the different 3D models and environments. Eventually, once a working prototype was developed, the TLN team was able to push new versions onto the client’s VR headsets (using a mobile device management application) for them to test out hands-on.Â
- The instructors with the Mining Engineering Technology team at Saskatchewan Polytechnic were happy and impressed with the capabilities that the VR module could simulate for the lab assignment and assessment. They praised how well the module followed the steps they would expect of their students, how “real” it felt being immersed in the mine environment, and the assessment data that they had access to.Â
“The (TLN) team followed through on our comments and feedback, whether it was related to course content, interaction, or timeline.”
“It was a pleasure working with the team (at TLN).”
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