Industrial Projects (IP) is a division within the global shipping and logistics company DHL. They deal specifically with massive, oversized shipments that require a large amount of planning and logistical considerations. Clients come to the IP team for shipping cargo that is far bigger than average, and DHL helps them plan contracts and shipping solutions across the world. The IP team is spread around the world as well, and training for team members is often centered around multi-day in-person training sessions. One aspect of their training that DHL wanted to enhance was the ability to give learners a better understanding of how the shipping process takes place at locations such as ports, which the IP team utilizes across continents. While DHL would ideally take their learners for an on-site port tour with an expert tour guide, this is logistically very difficult to facilitate.

DHL approached TLN about working together to create a virtual solution for their learners on the IP team to experience what operations at these ports look like while also understanding how their projects and collaborations apply to every step of this process. After meeting to discuss their current training and the aspects they wanted to enhance, it was determined that the best and most innovative solution would be a 360 interactive “Google Street View”-style module that could be experienced on multiple platforms (computers, mobile devices, and VR).

This project would require both the TLN and DHL teams to visit a port site to record site footage with a 360-degree camera, a traditional still/video camera, and a drone camera. DHL leveraged their operational relationships with officials at the Port of Houston in Texas to schedule the shoot for May, 2024, which allowed for proper documentation and permissions from regulatory bodies to be obtained. The shoot was scheduled over three days, and TLN was able to film at three locations along the port (City Docks, Manchester Terminal, and Bayport Terminal) and at DHL’s airport warehouse near George W. Bush Internal Airport.

Along with planning for the shooting locations, information was gathered from DHL IP training personnel in advance. Part of this 360 interactive module would include points of information that learners could click on to learn about different aspects of operations, safety, and client relations. These points could include text information as well as visuals and videos, most of which were planned to be shot as part of the port tour shoot. More information would be captured during the shoot, as the visiting TLN and DHL training teams had access to a local DHL manager (who acted both as tour guide and subject matter expert). Everything would be incorporated together and sequenced into the module, where it showed the journey of DHL cargo from warehouse to shipping vessel.

The shoot at the Port of Houston was incredibly successful, and everyone was very impressed with the amount and quality of footage that was captured. Our teams were given an incredible amount of access to almost all operational areas of the ports where shooting took place. After obtaining the proper clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), we also were able to fly the drone camera to capture views an in-person tour would not see (such as into the hull of a large shipping vessel, following picking vehicles that move shipping containers, and alongside and underneath massive B2B cranes loading cargo onto ships). Once the footage was stitched together and sequenced, the early feedback from the IP team was overwhelmingly positive, and they were very excited to implement this module into their next scheduled IP training session in the fall.

DHL’s initial pilot with the 360 Port Tour Experience module was very successful, and they received a lot of excellent feedback praising the interactive nature of the learning. They had learners working in smaller groups going through the experience together, with some using a VR headset. They have mentioned that it adds a whole new dimension to the IP Training, and they are really looking forward to rolling it out to other training sessions across the globe.

The project has also been successful in another capacity. Early this November, the DHL 360 Port Tour Experience was recognized by the Horizon Interactive Awards with two awards: a “Gold” designation in the category of “Best Websites: Training/E-Learning” and a “Bronze” designation in the category of “Best Interactive: Kiosk/Public Exhibit/Museum/VR”. As a “Gold” designation winner, it has also been featured on Horizon’s category webpage.

For a demonstration of what this style of 360 interactive learning module can look like, or to learn about any of our other exciting learning and XR opportunities, contact the team at TLN.