FLAMECOACH
is a virtual reality fire trainer for fire safety training. The system consists of a combination of multi-immersive VR fire protection simulation, as well as matching wireless VR fire extinguisher hardware. The fire training offers various industry relevant fire scenarios, which are immersively supported by the application with the real fire extinguisher and the multi-sensory odor and heat simulation.
Sound design special features
Immersion
For a simulator, and especially this one for fire safety training, immersion had to be a top priority so that the product could meaningfully replace conventional training methods. Heat and odor simulation, realistic fire and a real fire extinguisher for control should immerse the user in the scenario. The sound design had to make a decisive contribution through a mix that was as realistic as possible with accurate reverb and spatialization.
Dynamic fire
Fire has arguably the highest value in fire protection simulation in terms of realism and accuracy. So it was extremely important to implement this in the sound in the best possible way. Dynamic sound according to intensity, temperature, burning material as well as number and radius of the sound sources according to the size of the fire and number of fire sources enabled a highly realistic sound.
Realistic fire extinguisher
Since the virtual fire extinguisher is an exact visual and functional replica of its real counterpart, with which the user controls the simulator, the acoustic feedback also had to be correspondingly close to the original. For this reason, some fire extinguishers were emptied and all possibilities for interaction were recorded. From this, dynamic events for the extinguishing sound itself and one shots for other interactions were created and implemented accordingly.
Spatial audio
Particularly in the case of fire, precise acoustic location of the sound source and thus the source of the fire was crucial in order to be able to find and extinguish any flames that may not have been completely extinguished or not yet discovered, even without a direct line of sight. When interacting with the fire extinguisher, positioning the sound sources as accurately as possible was also important for immersion.