Leading hydraulics and automation control solutions company HYDAC Australia has successfully concluded a 12-month research project with the launch of a cutting-edge virtual reality training environment.

The technology, developed in collaboration with Deakin University and with the support of IMCRC, teaches maintenance staff and trainees how to safely service and maintain important hydraulics systems and components.

Mark Keen, Managing Director at HYDAC Australia, said the project had supported significant research advances into HYDAC’s mixed reality technology.

“Working closely with IMCRC and Deakin’s Motion Lab, we’ve developed a virtual environment that overcomes access issues and safety risks posed by in-person training, while supporting real-time instruction, feedback and verification of skills,” he said.

“We started this project believing the technology would be for internal use only. But our research collaboration has been so successful that we are now looking to include this training solution as part of HYDAC’s commercial offering moving forward.”