Don’t hit the brakes just yet, VR is here to give truck drivers a boost

THERE has been a great shift in the supply chain market segment that has brought both, pressure and opportunities, to the transportation and logistics industry.

Truckers, especially, are among those that are greatly affected by this shift because, despite new opportunities that arise, centuries-old challenges such as poor retention of drivers and costly recruitment processes remain.

Caused by the inherent high-risks of freight shipping as well as road and safety issues, trucking companies are struggling to retain their drivers and offer job satisfaction.

At the center of these issues are the lack of efficient training and impaired skill development practices. Thankfully, virtual reality (VR) technology is here to save the day.

Upon the realization that there is a need to hire more drivers to seize increasing market opportunities and heightening demands, trucking companies are now entrusting VR to train a new generation of truck drivers.

According to the research and analyst firm, Brandon Hall, more companies are adopting VR capabilities to train their employees.

The technology is imperative in the skill and training development of employees, particularly in high-risk industries. In fact, a recent report by PwC revealed that VR will significantly revolutionize employment as the technology is expected to enhance over 23 million jobs worldwide by 2030.

Truck drivers, for one, can benefit from VR-based training as the technology can help them prepare for real-life situations that are either dangerous or unpredictable in nature.

In a field of work where a small, sometimes inevitable, mistake can have great consequences on both, drivers and assets, elaborate training experiences and reinforced quick responses are highly critical.

Relying on theories can only take drivers so far in mitigating on-the-road risks. VR allows drivers to engage with real-life driving scenarios where unexpected situations can be simulated in a highly immersive, virtual environment.

The simulations can range from extreme weather conditions to challenging routes and traffic conditions. This also presents the perfect opportunity for trucking companies to use their data as well to gain specific insights on issues that their drivers identify with the most and tailor VR capabilities to address those challenges.

VR can also be used to enhance asset maintenance and property management skills of truck drivers. Maintenance and management are two skills that truck drivers can profoundly improve, especially in unfavorable situations where either the truck or the loads are at risk.

Practicing how to respond appropriately can greatly benefit drivers and their respective companies. Additionally, VR can be leveraged to help drivers quickly understand and master truck technologies that are rapidly being adopted to improve logistics and transportation capabilities.

Training using VR can give drivers extensive visibility over indispensable technologies that are on board and allow them to utilize them effectively while they are on the road.

With all that VR has to offer, the technology is soon expected to become the next-generation truck drivers’ best friend.

Not only that, as the industry faces greater pressure from the supply chain, companies must seriously consider investing in VR to augment training effectively, retain drivers, and offer greater job satisfaction.

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