NORCAT has won international recognition for one of its well-known virtual reality (VR) training programs.
The Sudbury-based company that specializes in health and safety, and skilled-labour training and development services, has won the VR Education and Training of the Year award presented at the 2023 International VR Awards event held this week in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.
NORCAT was represented at the event by Chief Technology Officer Edward Wisniewski and Andrew Kostuik, the director of the NORCAT Studio.
The VR Awards ceremony, organized by the Academy of International Extended Reality (AIXR), celebrates and recognizes excellence in virtual reality across a multitude of sectors around the globe, said a news release from AIXR.
The award was presented for NORCAT's Certi-Fire VR program.
NORCAT said Certi-Fire VR has transformed conventional professional fire alarm system-training and certification procedures throughout Ontario, introducing immersive experiences that engage learners in a realistic and safe environment.
This technology enables users to participate in authentic scenarios, replicating lab exercises and practical tests within a virtual reality (VR) setting. The interactive features of the platform ensure that learners acquire the required hands-on experience and efficiently demonstrate their skills, said a NORCAT news release.
The NORCAT Certi-Fire VR program was one of 12 projects to receive nominations in this category at the annual AIXR awards event, which included other notable and winning VR creators in several categories, such as Sony Interactive Entertainment and PlayStation, TIME studios, Digitalnauts / Openreach, Combat Waffle Studios, DENTSU & ambr, and Games by Stitch, among many others.
The full list of winners and finalists can be found here.
On behalf of NORCAT, Wisniewski expressed deep gratitude for being selected as the recipient of the VR Education and Training category at the 2023 VR Awards.
"We are truly honoured to be named the winner of the VR Education and Training Solution of the Year. The recognition of Certi-Fire VR exemplifies NORCAT's commitment to creating impactful virtual learning technologies and how these innovations are reshaping the landscape of training and development."
NORCAT said a tremendous amount of time and energy was invested into NORCAT Studio’s extended reality development over the past few years, paving the way for solutions like Certi-Fire VR.
The livestream of the 2023 VR Awards can be viewed here.