Use of virtual reality technology in chainsaw operations, education and training

Abstract

Wood harvesting operations represent one of the industrial sectors with the highest risk of accidents at work. In semi-mechanized logging operations, the great majority of accidents generally occur using chainsaws during tree felling. Unfortunately, these situations frequently cause serious injuries and even the deaths of workers. In numerous cases, the accidents occurred to people who were badly trained and inexperienced, with a short employment history. One solution to reduce these harmful events is to support workers employed in this sector with training applications. This paper presents a description of a research and training programme for operating with chainsaws in tree felling operations using a Virtual Reality (VR) application called ForestVRoom. This innovative education method was compared with the traditional theoretical lesson based on a slide show. The results of the training were verified through a statistical analysis of questionnaires administered to a sample of 45 students in undergraduate and master’s degree programmes at the School of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Florence. We have shown that the combination of traditional didactics and symmetrical collaborative VR leads to an increase in knowledge and especially in the ability to understand situations in a real forest site. VR is a useful teaching tool that can complement conventional training methods because of its potential to provide an immersive and attractive experience that facilitates learning and recognition of situations in forest sites.

Improving the training of employees of logging enterprises in the field of labor protection

“…To obtain initial work skills, it is advisable to use various electronic simulators and simulators. For example, leading manufacturers of logging equipment, such as JOHNDEERE, POUNCE, KOMATSU use their own simulators for training [21], and electronic game simulators have also been developed (Figure 2). The use of electronic The combination of ordinary and virtual reality makes it possible to operate all human senses (Figure 3), to achieve the highest efficiency of learning [22], without being exposed to real danger.…”

LagunAR: A City-Scale Mobile Outdoor Augmented Reality Application for Heritage Dissemination

“…The integration of gamification principles within Augmented Reality (AR) applications in the context of heritage offers a way to retain the user's attention [30][31][32][33]. By incorporating game elements such as interactive challenges, quests, and rewards, AR heritage experiences can transform passive onlookers into active participants, fostering a deeper connection with historical narratives and cultural artifacts [34]. Gamification not only enhances user engagement but also encourages exploration, knowledge retention, and a sense of accomplishment, ultimately contributing to more vibrant and immersive heritage preservation and dissemination efforts.…”