Remote-controlled vehicle simulators for Swedish police force

In future, the Swedish police force will employ virtual reality training systems to train its officers in the use of remote-controlled vehicles for the investigation and removal of dangerous objects. The systems were recently delivered by szenaris GmbH, a German company specialising in innovative e-learning applications.

Remote-controlled vehicles such as the "tEODor", "PackBot EOD" and "telemax" models are used by security authorities around the world to minimise the danger to persons, for example, when cars or bags need to be searched for hidden bombs. Specialists refer to such threats as "improvised explosive devices" (IEDs). Controlling these vehicles requires extensive training, as they offer a wide range of functionalities and their professional deployment can save lives. However, it is not always practical to use these expensive machines themselves for training purposes.

szenaris has developed a special e-learning application that includes all the software and hardware components required to realistically simulate the operation of these remote-controlled vehicles - at a cost that is nonetheless significantly lower than that of the original systems, because the processes take place in a virtual reality environment: on standard laptops. The operating controls for the machines, however, are original components to ensure that the training experience exactly matches real-life usage.

szenaris has developed special interfaces to connect these operating controls to the laptops. In doing so, the company has placed particular emphasis on precisely replicating the vehicles' behaviour, for example, in terms of response times between the operating control device and the gripping function. The simulation uses a highly accurate 3D model of the respective remote-controlled vehicle and includes all its functionalities, such as driving, gripper movements, gripping function, camera and lighting.

The Swedish police force has purchased two training systems in order to employ them at separate locations. This is the first time szenaris has sold a complete product of this order of magnitude; the company has previously almost exclusively developed individual solutions for its customers. The learning system for remote-controlled vehicles can be supplied to all interested security authorities at short notice.