When we think about the terms Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, it takes us to a virtual world of video games and sci-fi movies. However, since the pandemic struck, people have realised the numerous advantages that AI, VR and AR bring to the table and how industries like healthcare, manufacturing and education can immensely benefit from these immersive technologies. This tech start-up in Chennai is leveraging such innovations to upskill young professionals in large corporations and sectors like healthcare and education. Since 2016, DreamX has been developing virtual reality-driven content for people and what stands out about them is their VR simulators, which not only train people to learn and upskill but also get used to machines without having to be physically present in an industry.
DreamX means Dream Experience, the company's founder Harish Karthikeyan (36) tells us. "Immersive technologies like AI, VR and AR have huge potential and endless possibilities. Teleporting yourself to a virtual world gives you a different kind of experience and that's why we named our company this," he explains. Harish did his Master's in Computer Science from London Metropolitan University, following which he worked there to gain corporate experience. DreamX's major focus sectors include manufacturing, education and healthcare. "In the education sector, AR/VR has great potential. Experiential learning is being implemented in the education sector in the form of virtual labs, virtual and augmented reality tools and gamification of learning. Through AR/VR we help students in boosting learning retention, personalised learning experiences, increased possibilities of experimentation and more," he explains.
The tech start-up is working on a couple of products — Pocket Laboratory, a self-learning, realistic mobile solution to perform lab experiments for school kids, and AR Technology Magazine for Kids, a new-age technology magazine for kids to learn about new advancements in the technology world through augmented reality. Currently, they already have a few simulator-based training products that are used to train students and professionals. "We have developed a Virtual Reality Human Anatomy application for medical students. We also develop training-based VR simulators and VR protocol-based simulators. For example, medical students can use our VR neonatal golden minute simulator to practise the procedure virtually. We have VR simulators to study surgical ortho procedures as well. We have also developed a VR simulator that allows medical students to practise emergency medical procedures like ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)," explains Harish.
In the education sector, DreamX converts textbooks into Augmented Reality platforms. Students are enabled to scan a topic and see the contents in three dimensions. "We feel that 3D learning will help students understand the subject quickly. It will also improve their creativity to think out of the box. Augmented Reality learning is quite exciting and fun," the founder adds. The company also operates and provides its technology solutions in industrial training, facility management training, the automobile industry and construction. For example, it provides VR simulators for professionals to get used to machines in a thermal power plant, which, in turn, avoids the risk of training them in a live thermal station.
Speaking about the advantages of AI, AR and VR in upskilling people, he says, "Engagement is critical to training outcomes and the immersive training environment provided by VR boosts engagement. Workers with difficult jobs can sharpen their skills without worrying about real-world consequences. These tech solutions also allow companies to perform test runs of new initiatives to see how employees respond," says Harish. Some of their prominent clients include Mercedes Benz, Uber, Ceat Tyres, Hyundai and Swiggy. They also have clients outside the country, in the United States and Brazil. "We provide them with training solutions along with analytics to simplify the training process and help increase employee productivity," he concludes.
