German Army integrates Virtual Reality into Training.
More efficient. More effective. More flexible.
The German army needed a new modern training approach. A solution that improves quality, makes training more realistic, interactive, and flexible while reducing the overall costs. These complex challenges require various solutions, with one being the integration of virtual reality into training. For this, the German Army partnered with HOLOGATE. Since 2020, we’ve been jointly developing a turnkey XR solution that combines our expertise with high-end immersive technologies, using our innovative HOLOFORCE BLACK software. As a first result, the “VirtHT – Virtueller Handlungstrainer” (transl. VR Trainer) was built.
This marked the beginning of a multi-year study initiated by the German Army titled VIRTUOS – VIRtual Training of Urban Operations as a Multi-user Scenario. The extended reality platform was intended to help establish an efficient training network and significantly shorten the training time through a new quality standard.
The VR trainer is a revolutionary free-roam, full-body VR system featuring state-of-the-art VR technology that isn’t dependent on cumbersome backpacks. By streaming high-end quality VR directly into the headsets, soldiers move freely and effortlessly in the expansive training space of up to 200m2.
Equipped with high-fidelity tracking technology from head to toe, soldiers are fully immersed in the virtual world. Soldiers can move, interact and communicate naturally as virtual avatars and communicate with each other through an integrated audio system. The trainer is linked to the system, can pass on instructions during the exercise or can even be part of the scenario. Trackers on hand and feet allow for lifelike virtual interactions, such as communicating via signals, open doors, or holding equipment, and can be performed easily and intuitively. To increase the sense of physical presence, soldiers wear a haptic vest and/or a shock belt that signals a hit through triggering impulses.
For training to be as realistic as possible, a variety of authentic weapon replicas with both CO2 and electric recoil systems can be integrated. These are based on the original specifications allowing for precise shooting in the virtual space. 4D effects, including wind, scent, and heat, are added to activate all senses and immerse the participant even deeper within the virtual environment.
The HOLOGATE team dedicated over 100,000 developer hours to creating the software to meet the specific requirements of the German Army. The constantly growing library of over 20 different virtual environments enables extensive training at the touch of a button. Thanks to the integrated scenario editor, situations can be individually created, adapted and changed at lightning speed. This means that scenarios can also be trained that would be too dangerous or impossible to simulate in real life. This results in better training and operational preparation.
Our solution was developed as a VR platform on which every imaginable real-world and high-risk scenario could be simulated, visualized, and trained, ensuring effective preparation for real-life operations.
One of the main advantages of XR training is its ability to simulate diverse and intricate scenarios, including those that are too hazardous, expensive, or logistically complex to replicate in real life. Additionally, it allows for the involvement of participants who would not be able to take part in traditional training, such as children or animals.
This is proving to be a real gamechanger from an operational perspective. Many exercises that were previously restricted due to organizational or safety concerns are now possible. Virtual training is safe, adaptable, and accessible at any time. The intuitive interface makes it easy for a single supervisor to operate, and exercises can be run as often as needed, both of which spare personnel and resources.
When considering all factors, it shows that integrating virtual reality substantially enhances training flexibility while reducing overall costs.
Throughout the test phase, soldiers across various branches of the German Army regularly trained with the system in Meppen to test the military benefits and improve the developmental process. These showed that the soldiers were emotionally fully immersed in the virtual events. The combination of active interaction with team members, virtual environment, and haptic feedback creates a realistic impression, and thus high-stress situations could be effectively and convincingly simulated and trained.
“This was a real firefight. You could feel the impact of the hits. You felt the recoil of the weapon, and it was very realistic.” – Study participant
An essential part of virtual training is the After-Action Review. All movements of each soldier and the whole team can be analyzed because the system has recorded the entire training session. Each participant can follow the procedure from different perspectives and as many times as needed until it becomes committed to memory.
A German Army representative emphasized the significance: “No trainer can monitor every detail, but the After Action Review allows for precise evaluation, enabling focused troubleshooting and tailored training which is not feasible in reality.”
At a showcase event in March 2024, experts from the military, police, and security sectors witnessed the unveiling of the findings of the three-year VIRTUOS study. These findings demonstrated the immense potential of XR in contemporary military training and underscored its diverse applications across various industries.
The feedback overall was highly positive, here are some key outcomes.
97% of participating soldiers saw the XR training solution as a real value-add to existing training and would like to see a system like this integrated into their training routine.
85% of the test subjects confirmed that training in the virtual environment helps them to better understand critical processes.
The extensive assessment capabilities were rated “good” or “very good” by 84% of the study participants.
We are constantly developing new training content and applications. During the test phase we also expanded our portfolio of systems for the German Army with the HGXR M System, a mobile XR training solution, and the XR motion simulator for vehicle and aircraft operation training. We continue to work with the German Army to develop our systems and adapt to their evolving needs.
The long-term goal is to establish our solution at hundreds of locations worldwide to build up an innovative training network. By linking the systems, different teams and military units will be able to jointly train missions in the virtual world.
