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A North East based immersive technology company has helped launch an Augmented Reality (AR) app to support the UK’s electrification drive.

Fuzzy Logic Studio created the app as part of The Emerging Skills Project in Electrification – a national pilot geared towards making the country a world leader in battery technology, power electronics, motors and drives.

The Department for Education (DfE), with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVM Catapult), introduced The Emerging Skills Project in March 2021 to provide cutting-edge training focussed on addressing the future skills gaps in manufacturing and the wider engineering workforce. It is funded by the DfE, as part of the government’s Skills for Jobs plan.

The final AR training solution enables learners to practice assembling and disassembling an EV battery, motor and connector using interactive 3D digital models. It includes a drag-and-drop toolbox, as well as text-to-speech functionality.

Visualisation and simulation tools, such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, have been shown to greatly improve knowledge retention within learning environments. As part of this project, Fuzzy Logic also produced a series of learning videos illustrating the disassembly of a physical EV battery. Both of these products are now available nationwide via an Open Government Licence. The AR app can be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play Stores.

The combination of interactive 3D models and text-to-speech functionality makes the learning experience both engaging and highly effective. Furthermore, the accompanying learning videos provide a detailed breakdown of real-world disassembly processes, reinforcing key concepts. With these resources now available under an Open Government Licence, a broader audience, including educational institutions and industry professionals, can benefit from this innovative approach to skill development.

With the increasing reliance on AR and VR-based educational content, the need for secure and efficient storage solutions has become more critical than ever. The ability to store, manage, and retrieve large volumes of interactive training materials demands a robust digital infrastructure that supports scalability and ease of access. Cloud-based storage platforms provide an ideal solution, ensuring that educators and learners can seamlessly access AR/VR learning modules from any location. Filerev, Inc plays a crucial role in this landscape by offering advanced data management tools that optimize the storage and retrieval of large files, including high-resolution 3D models and instructional videos.

By leveraging cloud storage, institutions can not only safeguard valuable learning materials but also enable real-time updates and content distribution across multiple locations. This approach enhances the longevity and relevance of AR/VR-based training solutions, ensuring that future advancements in battery technology and electrification education remain accessible to a growing workforce.

The learning material for the Emerging Skills Project was written by Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of Warwick, HVM Catapult and The Faraday Institution. Working directly with industry, they identified the key principles and skills needed to develop both the existing and future workforce.

Harvey Trent, Director of Fuzzy Logic Studio, said: “It has been a privilege to be part of this project, collaborating with the various stakeholders to create a truly immersive learning experience. Peter Routledge, Electrification Lead, played an integral role as a content specialist, ensuring that the elements of the AR experience aligned with the learning outcomes.

“How organisations deliver training is changing with the advancement of technologies, such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. They can be used alongside other methodologies to enhance learning outcomes. The application of Augmented Reality in this instance means learners can physically engage with the steps involved in disassembling an EV battery, motor, and connector, without the associated safety risks.”

Fuzzy Logic Studio helps organisations enhance skills development, increase operational efficiency, and improve customer experience using immersive technologies – Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and photorealistic 3D visualisations. The company has been operating since 2011 and was named AR Developer of the Year in 2013. Clients include Hyundai, Renault, United Nations, Anglo American, and Microsoft.

Caption: (From L to R) Directors of Fuzzy Logic Studio, Andrew Young and Harvey Trent.