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Monthly Archives: October 2019

//October

VirTra Wins Patents for TASER Training and Simulating Firearms

VirTra Inc. announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company two new patents: patent 10,438,503, which relates to VirTra’s TASER cartridge kits, and patent 10,436,539, which relates to mechanical malfunction of real firearms used in simulation training. Based on the parameters of patent 10,438,503, VirTra is the only company in the United States that can produce or sell a specially triggered training cartridge for the TASER line of products by Axon. The patent covers VirTra’s method of triggering the training device based on the acoustic sound produced by a TASER Conducted Energy Weapon’s (CEW) electrical arc. This innovation allows trainees to deploy the cartridges from a real TASER CEW during simulation training and avoid high-voltage feedback. It also allows trainees to practice with a TASER CEW’s “ARC” and/or “Re-ARC” functions, which increases the realism of each training session. By using a live CEW while training in VirTra’s simulators, trainees are able to improve their technique and develop proper habits that carry into real world situations. The patent applies to both legacy units and the latest multi-cartridge systems used for the TASER X2 and TASER 7 weapons. “TASER CEWs have been classified as ‘less-lethal’ devices, and [...]

By | 2019-10-31T14:47:50+00:00 October 31st, 2019|
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Federal Law Enforcement Places Order for VirTra Simulators

VirTra Inc. has received an order from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) for VirTra’s newest ultra-high-definition (UHD) 4K simulators. FLETC will be the first agency to receive VirTra’s new UHD simulators. The new simulators utilize 4K resolution projectors and more accurately reproduce objects, visual details, body language and non-verbal threat cues. These enhancements enable officers to train to recognize and appropriately respond to subtle nuances in human behavior and movement that were imperceptible with previous technology. In addition to the new simulators, VirTra will deliver training content, which includes scenarios related to use-of-force, dog encounters, elderly populations and special needs persons, just to name a few. FLETC is the nation’s largest provider of law enforcement training. The organization helps train law enforcement professionals at all stages in their careers to perform their responsibilities safely and proficiently. FLETC intends to utilize the simulators and new content for its use-of-force Judgmental Pistol Shoot (JPS) Program at its training academies in Glynco, Georgia and Artesia, New Mexico. The JPS program is specifically designed to improve the use-of-force decision making process of basic academy level recruits. “In addition to increasing the number of officers who will have [...]

By | 2019-10-29T20:14:35+00:00 October 29th, 2019|
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Microsoft Announces New Capabilities for IoT

Microsoft Corp. announced new capabilities that further simplify the customer journey and deliver highly secured IoT solutions. These solutions help customers embrace IoT as a core strategy to drive better business outcomes, improve safety and address social issues by predicting and preventing equipment failures, optimizing smart buildings for space utilization and energy management, improving patient outcomes and worker safety, tracking assets across a supply chain, and more. The proliferation of IoT devices is enabling companies to bring cloud intelligence to the edge, to create solutions that are adaptive and responsive to their environments. According to IDC,1 41.6 billion devices — including smartphones, smart home assistants and smart appliances — will be connected to the internet by 2025. Even sooner, by 2021, 94 percent of businesses surveyed will be using IoT, according to a recent Microsoft IoT Signals research report and, in nearly every case (97 percent), those companies are concerned about potential security risks. “At Microsoft, we are committed to building a trusted, easy-to-use platform that allows our customers and partners to build seamless, smart, secure solutions regardless of where they are in the IoT journey,” said Sam George, CVP of Azure IoT at Microsoft. “That’s why we are investing $5B [...]

By | 2019-10-28T16:57:58+00:00 October 28th, 2019|
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UEI College Launches New Electrician Technician Program

UEI College, the West Covina Vocational and Trade School, is growing with the addition of a new Electrician Technician training program at the West Covina campus. "UEI College's new electrician technician program is a timely answer to a growing need for trained electrician professionals," said J.C. Rivas, campus president. "As home and business construction grows, there is a corresponding need for electricians that can care for and repair large motors, equipment and control systems or install wiring and troubleshoot electrical problems." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for electricians will grow by 10 percent for the next decade. In response, UEI's program gets students up to speed, following a hands-on curriculum that focuses on the skills that matter most to employers. In as few as 10 months, students will develop the skills and get the tools needed to work effectively in the electrician field. The Electrician Technician training program prepares students for an entry-level job in the residential, commercial, or industrial fields.

By | 2019-10-25T14:32:19+00:00 October 25th, 2019|
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Gateway Celebrates Expansion of Industry 4.0 Center

Gateway Technical College celebrated the renovation and expansion ribbon-cutting ceremony at Gateway’s SC Johnson iMET Center on October 22. The expansion features added labs with cutting-edge training equipment to provide the framework for advanced manufacturing career skills. Some of the high-tech training equipment is portable, allowing college instructors to provide training on-site to area manufacturers and high schools. “This expansion is not only great for the Racine County area, but it is great for Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry,” said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. “And not just here in Wisconsin, and not just the country, but internationally, as well. Technology is driving the change in the way we live and work. We need to make sure we are ready to change with it, and this facility will help us adapt to that change.” The center expanded by 35,800 square feet, and 12,080 square feet of existing space was remodeled as part of the project. The center is home to 12 academic programs taught with some of the most technologically advanced classrooms and equipment in advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0. Many national companies stepped forward to provide resources, equipment and industry knowledge to help make the center a local, and national, site of [...]

By | 2019-10-25T14:02:22+00:00 October 25th, 2019|
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VirTra Receives $2.3M Follow-On Order for Law Enforcement

VirTra Inc. has received a $2.3 million follow-on order from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) to provide Arizona law enforcement organizations with VirTra’s judgmental use-of-force training and firearms simulators, including virtual firing ranges. In 2016, the Arizona DPS placed an $2.1-million order with VirTra for V-300 simulators, which the company delivered to seven separate law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Under the terms of this follow-on order, VirTra will provide the Arizona DPS with 13 simulators, as well as scenario authoring software, services, maintenance, warranties, and accessories. The Arizona DPS will deploy VirTra’s 300-degree V-300 LE simulator, V-ST PRO marksmanship simulator, or both, to local law enforcement agencies in order to enhance Arizona’s current simulation training programs and expand these programs to additional agencies across the state. VirTra expects to recognize the majority of the revenue from this follow-on order in fiscal year 2020. “When officers are well trained and more confident in their abilities, they are safer and do a better job in the field,” said Lt. Corey Doggett, training commander for Tucson Police Department, who received a simulator through the initial order. “Having our own VirTra V-300 training simulator has helped us improve in these areas [...]

By | 2019-10-23T16:09:46+00:00 October 23rd, 2019|
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Delaware Innovates to Build Strong Talent Pipeline

High school students in Delaware are getting a jump start on careers in growing fields including health care, hospitality, advanced manufacturing and biomedical science. The Delaware Pathways program is part of the national Pathways to Prosperity Network aimed at preparing students for a secondary education and careers in high-demand fields. Delaware Pathways was created to help fulfill the Delaware Promise: By 2025, 65 percent of Delaware's workforce will have a two- or four-year degrees or professional certificates to match the percentage of Delaware jobs that require them. In Delaware, because employers need middle- and high-skill employees, academic degrees and industry certificates are given equal weight. The program is quickly expanding, in part due to a $2 million, three-year grant from JPMorgan Chase & Co. and a $3.25 million, three-year grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. "Pathways is allowing students to explore career paths that heretofore they may have never thought about or considered," said Kurt Foreman, president and CEO of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, the nonprofit that leads the state's economic development effort. “We know that there is demand for these positions. By giving high school students the training in these fields, Delaware is positioning the students and the state for success. [...]

By | 2019-10-22T21:31:40+00:00 October 22nd, 2019|
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VirTra Launches Driving Simulators for US Law Enforcement

VirTra Inc. will be introducing driving simulators specifically designed for U.S. Law Enforcement at the IACP Conference in Chicago, Illinois. These simulators have been specifically designed to fit the unique needs of U.S. Law Enforcement. The hig- definition environments and decision-making objectives ensure that the focus of training is on the driver’s cognitive learning and decision-making rather than just the operation of a vehicle. The V-DTS combines patented technology with pre-authored or customizable scenarios and Test Facility Tracks designed by internal experts to teach defensive and emergency driving. Instructors can control a trainee’s location, objective, and whether to participate in free drive or work on specific defensive techniques. The graphics utilize technology similar to that in the latest video games, and vibration and an optional motion platform immerses trainees in the experience. The simulated vehicle, as well as all other virtual vehicles, obey the laws of physics so that the weight distribution of vehicles when stopping looks and feels realistic. VirTra has also include real-world hazards such as dust storms, rain, and sun glare. The V-DTS includes multiple screens that help create a 360-degree experience and an on-screen compass which increases trainees’ cognitive skills by helping them learn to monitor [...]

By | 2019-10-18T19:15:39+00:00 October 18th, 2019|
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Aberdeen Drilling School to open four new training centres

  Aberdeen Drilling School (ADS) is inventing more than £1 million to open four new training centres in RelyOn Nutec facilities by the end of the year. The move comes after a fifty percent increase in contract wins in the past six months, said ADS, which is part of the RelyOn Nutec group. The new centres are in Houston, U.S., Cuidad del Carmen in Mexico and Bergen and Stavanger in Norway. The ADS team will operate them independently and deliver the "most advanced simulator-based training currently available on the drilling market." Expanding the services to four new locations will require ADS to hire five new bilingual instructors. It will also double the technical workforce in the coming six months with new instructors, simulator operators and software developers.  The firm currently has a team of 20 based at its Aberdeen facility in Union Glen and 50 staff worldwide. "This is really only the start for us," said Managing director of Aberdeen Drilling School, Jason Grant. "With access to the RelyOn Nutec network of over 30 training centres in 20 countries, we have a great platform for further expansion." Aberdeen Drilling School The training firm’s existing portfolio includes facilities in Aberdeen, Malaysia, [...]

By | 2019-10-16T14:54:14+00:00 October 16th, 2019|
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Varjo Announces Two New Human-Eye Resolution HMDs

Varjo Technologies has doubled its product line offerings with two new state-of-the-art VR headsets – the VR-2 and the VR-2 Pro. These two new products (in addition to the VR-1 and XR-1) are part of Varjo’s ‘Resolution Revolution’, a product line committed to delivering human eye-resolution (over 60 PPD) and fidelity to the professional market. Both the VR-2 and the higher-end VR-2 Pro include support for SteamVR content as well as support for the OpenVR development platform from Valve at ultra-high resolutions (up to 40 PPD/4K rendering per eye) so professional users can quickly and easily access a full range of applications for research, analytics, training and simulation, industrial design, and more. Through Varjo’s visual fidelity, these software tools are now ‘turbo-charged’ for the rigors of the professional market, delivering clarity of 3D models and simulations. The VR-2 Pro also comes with integrated Ultraleap hand tracking technology, which enables more intuitive interactions with high-fidelity VR content. This is especially impactful for simulation professionals who interact with physical controllers and switches as part of their VR training. Building on Varjo’s 20/20 Eye Tracker technology, the new products offer even faster and more accurate calibration performance, giving professionals access to precise eye [...]

By | 2019-10-15T19:26:43+00:00 October 15th, 2019|
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