Serco’s Tech and Innovation Podcast Explores a Groundbreaking Mixed Reality Training Solution

Today, Serco released the 13th episode of the Serco Tech and Innovation Podcast featuring a stimulating discussion with Jessica Riley, Gerry Thibeau and Greg Wheeler. Together with hosts Don Styer, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Serco and Michael Arce, Serco External Communications Manager, they dive headfirst into the future of training – where virtual and real worlds collide. This journey takes us into the metaverse through a mixed reality (MR) experience that demonstrates how this technology is no longer science fiction.

Serco Canada provides facilities maintenance services to for the Royal Canadian Air Force and NATO Flying Training in Canada Program in two of Canada's most remote bases: 5 Wing Goose Bay (Goose Bay) and 15 Wing Moose Jaw (Saskatchewan). It is not uncommon for these areas to record an average snowfall of 8-10 feet of snow during a winter that can last 7-8 months (Goose Bay). Technicians in both areas travel via skidoo (snowmobile) to provide maintenance to base equipment. Additionally, both bases are about 4,500 km (approximately 2800 miles) apart. The travel distance and seasonal conditions provide a challenge in sharing technical knowledge that comes with on-site training and subject matter expert (SME) visits.

Serco was able to deploy a mixed reality solution in Canada that overcame these environmental and physical challenges. Through an impact pilot program, Serco taped into a start-up technology company partnership that unlocked a modern solution. "In this case, we partnered with a company that brought in some unique MR capabilities," shared Jessica Riley, Business Intelligence Analyst at Serco in North America. Serco deployed a successful six-month test program in Goose Bay and Moose Jaw that provided a virtual exchange of on-site training, employee education, 3D rendering tasks with documentation and contact with remote SME's. The promising results of this case study will open MR as a solution for future customers and contract work.

Serco's Tech and Innovation Podcast, a monthly program, features insightful conversations with visionaries, decision-makers, and thought leaders who are impacting a better future on the world through their groundbreaking ideas. Listen on Spotify or where you hear your favorite shows.