Perth’s Resources Technology Showcase 2019 Public Exhibition: Sentient’s VR experiences and games to put you in middle of mine site action

Video game designers at a Perth-based software development company have created a bundle of gaming and VR experiences for visitors to try at this month’s Resources Technology Showcase exhibition.

Sentient, which provides 3D visualisation and automation solutions for WA’s mining and resources sector, will have multiple stations set up to allow members of the public to immerse themselves in a 3D virtual environment.

Sentient spokeswoman Mandy Chapman said eight Oculus Quest virtual reality mobile headsets would give users an insight into a variety of different operations.

Ms Chapman said environments included a Pilbara mine site, a plant with heavy machinery, an underground mining operation, an office and a subsea space.

RTS2019: Everything to see and do at the free Resources Technology Showcase exhibition

“And to show how VR quality has moved on, we’ll also have Oculus Rift S headsets,” she said.

“There’ll be a scenarios where you have to pick the hazard, like a cable on the floor of an office, or a loose harness at mine.

“The experience will make you feel like you are actually out in the field.”

Sentient’s team of “under 30s with a gaming background” have also designed a suite of mini games for the showcase.

“There’s one with three dump trucks and a conveyor belt full of different mining rocks,” Ms Chapman said. “And you have to flick the gold, diamond and ore rocks into the truck.”

Another mini game involves playing a round of golf on an oil platform.

“All this gives people an idea of how virtual reality can be applied to a work environment, as well as how it can be applied to other areas.”

Catch Sentient’s display at the Resources Technology Showcase exhibition between 9am-4.30pm on November 27-28 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Visit rtsperth.com for more details or go to the exhibition’s Facebook events page.