Rikei Corporation (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Satoru Isaka; hereinafter ”Rikei”) is pleased to announce the November 2018 launch of a new product that can simulate evacuation from a fire using virtual reality (hereinafter “VR”).

The new product represents a complete redesign of the content of Evacuation Training VR, which Rikei started to sell from April 2017. It can replicate a fire environment with even more realistic movement of the smoke. The development of the content was supervised by Professor Ai Sekizawa of the graduate school at Tokyo University of Science, who studies evacuation in the event of fire.

Overview of the product (Model: RIVR-J)

• Poor visibility and evacuation methods during a fire can be simulated

RIVR-J is an evacuation training VR system in which participants are able to learn about poor visibility caused by smoke and the effective elements in making judgments when evacuating from a fire on an experience basis. It replicates a fire with a high degree of realism, such as changes in the movement of smoke over time and the way in which visibility changes when we crouch down.

Features

• Function to evaluate an evacuation behavior

As well as watching a video, it is possible for participants to experience the process of evacuation until escape via an emergency exit, by actually determining the evacuation direction themselves. Various evacuation behaviors, such as the time required to complete an evacuation, and how much smoke a participant inhaled during the evacuation can be evaluated.

• Corresponding to various VR goggles

RIVR-J accommodates a wide range of VR goggles, such as a high-end goggles to be connected to a PC, and goggles connected to a mobile phone. Although VR goggles are generally recommended for ages 13 years or older, people of all ages can experience RIVR-J since Rikei deals with goggles and content for children under 13 years old.

• System configuration assuming actual operation

Rikei’s evacuation training VR has been extensively used in evacuation training and disaster prevention events at numerous companies and municipalities to date. RIVR-J was designed assuming fully practical utilization based on the knowledge of on-site operational experience. Therefore, it requires only about 5 minutes for start-up, and features improvements such as multiple patterns of operation methods depending on the participants. It can also be used outdoors (with a tent set up) or in rainy weather.

4）Multiple participants can experience simulation simultaneously

A number of people can simultaneously simulate a fire using multiple VR goggles. The participants are able to operate individually, or receive evacuation training as a group. (Various conditions such as a network environment are required.)

5）Multiple languages are supported

Simulations can be experienced in English and in Chinese, in addition to Japanese. It can also be used for disaster prevention drills for foreign citizens.

Background of the development

Rikei focuses on initiatives related to disaster prevention as well as the VR. We are working on developing disaster prevention VR content for the purpose of creating more opportunities to encourage people to think about disaster prevention.

Actual utilization of Rikei’s VR

Osaka Municipal Fire Department, Higashihiroshima City Fire Department, Shinagawa Ward, Katsushika Ward, Shibuya Ward, Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., NTT DOCOMO, Inc., SHINKIN BANK CARD Co., Ltd., etc.

Future development

Rikei will develop low-priced VR content that can be used not only in city and ward units, but also in organizations with strong local roots, such as community associations. In parallel with the content development of voluntary disaster prevention that we are currently developing, we aim to utilize this technology in the area of training for firefighters in the future.

About Rikei Corporation

Established in 1957, Rikei Corporation is a solution provider for the IT and electronics industries.

Rikei offers a wide variety of solutions centered on the world’s cutting edge technologies and advanced products in the fields of system solutions, such as entrance exam and educational affairs systems and IT infrastructure, business strategy, and information security solutions. It also provides network solutions, such as satellite communication data transfer systems, digital video transfer systems, network systems for telecommunication operators and other private companies, wireless access systems, and disaster management information systems. In addition to solutions, Rikei provides electronic components and devices, such as high frequency components, high performance adhesives for industrial use, testers for automotive audio and navigation equipment, power grid analysis systems, defense-related machinery and security systems. 

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