Expanding from the military to police, culture, and tourism

The areas where metaverse technology using virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 3D images are applied in real life are expanding. Naviworks is a company that has developed training software and simulators for the defense sector based on VR technology since the 2010s, before the term metaverse was used in the information technology (IT) field, and has implemented a metaverse environment. It supplies command and control systems and virtual tactical training programs to the Korean Army and Navy.

The most trusted product among those being supplied to the military is ‘RealBX’, a tactical training software in the form of a strategy simulation game. Company-level soldiers and commanders can receive training similar to real combat in a simulation together and improve their mission performance capabilities. K1A1 tanks, armored vehicles, and helicopters are also implemented based on the specifications of actual weapons, allowing for virtual ‘joint tactical training’ in the true sense of the word. You can also create an opposing force learned with artificial intelligence (AI) technology and engage in battle.

Won Jun-hee, CEO of Naviworks (pictured), said, “We developed a simulation that can be used for military training in 2017, taking into account the fact that roads are damaged and local residents complain when the Ministry of National Defense conducts actual military training,” and “We have now 100% domestically produced software products that were previously dependent on overseas.”

Naviworks is seeking to expand its business to areas such as police training, culture, and tourism. Last month, the National Police Agency decided to proceed with the project to build a testbed for complex terrorism response training and education with Naviworks. Police officers who enter Naviworks’ virtual training platform can train while interacting with each other in various scenarios in a virtual training center. The training results are managed with a customized education curriculum based on data.

We also worked on a project to decorate Anyang Art Park in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, where the company is located, into a ‘smart park.’ When visiting the park, visitors can enjoy a mobile game that allows them to collect popular animation (Dinosaur Mecard) characters using AR technology.

CEO Won is a former developer who worked at a major domestic software company. He said, “In the future, we will expand our business to B2C (business-to-consumer) sectors that require metaverse technology, such as smart factories and medical surgery training.”

Reporter Dong-Hyeon Kim 3code@hankyung.com

Source : https://www.hankyung.com/economy/article/2021083091821