"Virtual Reality can become an essential tool for training machinists.

The development of the pilot project to improve the training tools for RENFE train drivers has been completed.

ARSOFT presented its solution, a Virtual Reality Simulator, to the President of RENFE, Raül Blanco, and several General Managers of the Business Units, in which routes, cabs and stations can be recreated, so that train drivers can practice their skills and abilities in a safe environment.

It was a dynamic and very enriching meeting and, after the event, various media outlets have highlighted the great work that ARSOFT has done during the six months of the program.

An example of ARSOFT's presence in the media is this interview in El Referente with Antonio Moraga, Training Director of RENFE, which is reproduced in full below.

"Virtual reality can become an essential tool for training train drivers.

TrenLab, the startup accelerator of Renfe, issued a call for a virtual reality training challenge. Through this challenge, it sought to develop a virtual reality tool that would integrate driving training needs, digitize real infrastructure environments and specific vehicles, and allow the training of situations and skills necessary to complement the safety training of driving personnel.

The winning startup of the challenge was ARSOFT, which, through its pilot, discovers how to virtually generate an immersive and very real training simulation experience for future Renfe train drivers. After scanning the train to reproduce with absolute fidelity what the train drivers will find, the startup Arsoft is developing a pilot that will offer various digital tools so that

- Examiners can remotely design a trip with all kinds of bad weather, difficulties and challenges to test students.

- Students will be able to carry out practical simulations thanks to stimulation tools.

- Renfe will have a comprehensive e-learning tool where, among other things, they can check the level of learning thanks to a scorecard that provides real-time data intelligence.

Antonio Moraga, Director of Training at Renfe, is the company expert who designed the pilot together with the startup. El Referente talks to him.

What were Renfe's driver training needs?

Railway is a guided transportation system that conditions the driver's performance to a single degree of freedom: speed. This, together with the characteristics of the trains, such as their length, weight and speed, require precise anticipation in the execution of actions by the driving personnel, which implies a detailed knowledge of both the infrastructures through which they travel and the vehicles with which they operate. For this reason, training is essential for these workers, not only to acquire the necessary knowledge of the environment in which they will be working, but also to be able to deal with abnormal situations during the journey and with complex regulatory procedures in the event of incidents in the various railway subsystems of the above-mentioned infrastructures.

Safety has a very direct relationship with the training that workers receive. Current training combines practice on board trains with the use of driving simulators, which Renfe already has. These simulators provide a limited virtual environment that allows in-depth training of procedures, but in generic virtual scenarios and vehicles.

As a result, the need to improve the training of this workforce is constant. In a constantly evolving rail environment, workers need to stay current and acquire new skills to ensure safety, efficiency and service quality.

How did you approach this challenge?

This challenge arose from the desire to make the most of new technologies in the training of train drivers and to achieve a model that is less tied to the software development of current simulators. Adaptation and innovation are essential to achieve significant progress in all areas, and since safety is one of the pillars of our company, it was necessary to seek an evolutionary model to the current one that would allow us to gain in the development of specific skills, maintain high safety standards and ensure an efficient and reliable rail service.

We wanted to address the challenge of improving the training of train drivers using virtual environments and advanced technologies, evolving towards an agile, autonomous and personalized training model, to the point of being able to anticipate the training needs of each case.

Specifically, the challenge is to find a new simulation model, a product that is scalable, autonomous and flexible, and that also takes into account the full integration of human factor analysis to achieve more analytical, targeted and predictive training.

How does it complement the training you already offer and why did you focus on virtual reality?

Instead of relying solely on software-limited simulators and on-track exercises, we are looking for a solution that takes advantage of Virtual Reality or even Artificial Intelligence to design real infrastructures and vehicles in a more agile and efficient way. This evolution would allow a more effective training adapted to the individual needs of the drivers.

The model will make it possible to approach a more immersive and detailed learning environment than the one currently available, allowing trainees to experience more realistic driving situations with their own vehicles and the lines on which they carry out their daily work. In addition, the flexibility of this model will allow the possibility to move from a directed training, where the instructor controls the environment and situations, to a more autonomous one, where the student takes the initiative, promoting the development of independence and confidence in their driving skills. 

The model envisages a virtual training simulator that can be used with different technologies, one of which will be virtual reality. In this case, immersion allows us to take the return of the experience to another level. Cases based on incidents that have already occurred allow us to integrate this essential component into the training process in a more realistic way, acting as a catalyst for meaningful learning and the acquisition of competencies in their professional field, improving the decision-making capacity of this group, which is critical for railway safety.

What are the characteristics that made ARSOFT the winner of this challenge?

ARSOFT is a company specialized in the implementation of advanced systems with 3D technologies, specifically in the design of simulators and Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality systems.

The company has shown a clear interest in joining our project, shares our vision and is committed to an intense R&D activity to develop its own technology and products, focusing on the development of projects using 3D technologies.

This means that between our know-how, their technological specialization and the disruptive spirit of innovation of both parties, we have the necessary ingredients to achieve differential results together in the challenge we have set ourselves.

How has this initiative been received by the drivers, how does it improve them, how does it drive them?

Years ago, when we started with the first driving simulators based on complex software developments, the driving personnel expressed some reluctance to use them, feeling that they were being evaluated, which initially created some mistrust. Over time, that mistrust turned to trust as drivers realized the benefits of receiving objective and detailed feedback on their performance.

Since then, the progress made by technology in the training of this group has always been appreciated. It must be taken into account that both the trains and the various control, command and signaling systems have evolved significantly from a technological point of view, and with them their procedures, so this type of initiative is welcome because it allows an important contribution to updating the skills and knowledge of professionals.

We can say that technology has made it possible to advance not only in terms of performance and safety, but also in the way workers are trained and adapt to change. As technology continues to evolve, we will see more innovations that will continue to advance training, always with a positive reception from those who benefit from these improvements.

What is the current status of the pilot project?

At the moment, we have just completed the POC (Proof Of Concept), in which we have been able to demonstrate how the system would be implemented once it is implemented, through a functional pilot where a driver can test the driving simulator with limited functionalities, and an instructor can monitor this training, connect and communicate with the driver, and modify certain conditions of the driving simulator in real time. In addition, we are implementing functional mockups for the rest of the subsystems that allow us to understand what the final systems will look like.

What is Renfe offering the company to carry out this pilot?

Renfe offers the know-how of the driving professionals integrated in the group's training department. The team includes people who have been involved in the development of rail simulators since the first generations.

Through in-depth knowledge of the profession, experience as experts in driver training, interaction with current simulators and the current training model, we know how far we can go with the help of technology and thus facilitate the integration of experience into a new training model.

How will you integrate Arsoft into your network?

This synergy can lead to creative and disruptive solutions that change the rules of the industry. The integration in the final product will seek to maximize the tangible and intangible benefits for both companies.

In this context, considering Arsoft as a technology partner could be a possible strategic decision. This collaboration could open doors to new business opportunities and, most importantly, set a precedent for future collaborations that can continue to drive the technological vanguard in our field.

What are the benefits of using virtual reality in the railway environment?

As I mentioned earlier, virtual reality can become an essential tool for training train drivers, which will lead to a significant improvement in the learning curve and operational safety.

It is undoubtedly a significant step forward, offering opportunities to improve safety, training and user experience, so it can contribute in many other areas, not only for improving training, but also in applications for the maintenance of trains and equipment.

As we have already seen in other sectors, interactive training and access to manuals and procedure guides enriched with visual and 3D instructions can be obtained to improve understanding and efficiency in maintenance tasks.

This technological integration not only improves efficiency and safety, but also reduces costs by avoiding the use of real machines for training.

How do you expect the sector to evolve?

Progress is both necessary and logical, and much will depend on companies recognizing the benefits in terms of safety and coexistence with the advances of artificial intelligence in railway applications.

It is essential to ensure a harmonious coexistence between technology and human operators, who play a crucial role in monitoring and maintaining systems. Despite the sophistication of automation and AI, human intervention is still necessary, especially in unforeseen situations or when the technology fails.

Continuous training and adaptation to new systems are key aspects for workers in the sector, so Renfe intends to incorporate this disruptive training model as a differentiating element that adds value as a benchmark company in the sector.