Superscape Works With Ford on Interactive 3D Safety Training

    SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., April 3 Following positive feedback
from users on a new safety training application developed by Superscape using
their interactive 3D technology for the Ford Motor Company, a further contract
has been awarded.

    The new contract is being supported by the United Auto Workers (UAW) Union
and was demonstrated for the first time at the UAW-Ford Health and Safety
Convention in Las Vegas in March.

    The interactive 3D world, developed by Superscape's Professional Services
Group, visualizes a typical Ford factory floor, including forklift trucks.
Its objective is to make plant workers more aware of the potential hazards on
the factory floor and to reinforce common sense safety principles easily
overlooked.  Users, who are represented by avatars (virtual pedestrians) in
the computer-generated environment, are required to carry out a series of
activities, such as collecting protective clothing, visiting the washrooms and
walking across the factory floor to the drinking water fountain, all the time
being aware of potential hazards.

    In the latest version of the training system, users encounter new safety
hazards such as a pin-condition where they could be 'sandwiched' between a
rigid item (e.g. storage racks) and an oncoming forklift truck.  Now they are
able and encouraged to use overhead mirrors to check for safe access at blind
intersections on the factory floor.  Users can use the safety simulator in
'Practice Mode' to exercise their pedestrian skills.  When a pedestrian
activity leads to a safety mistake, the user is informed and has a 'Redo'
option to safely try the activity over again.  The safety simulator can also
be used in 'Challenge Mode' in which the pedestrian's health is monitored
while the user exercises their pedestrian skills.  They commence Challenge
Mode with a health meter set to full scale.  Points are deducted for 'unsafe'
actions along with warning messages.  Loss of health points before the
pedestrian is allowed to exit the plant sends the user a strong message that
their pedestrian behaviours are not safe.