Bringing the Human Factor to the Foreground of Technology

Q: Why do Mexican mining companies require the services and products of Immersive Technologies and how has demand for your services changed in recent years?
A: Immersive Technologies focuses on the human factor: everything we do is geared toward helping an organization improve and optimize human performance in open pit and underground operations. We focus on three areas of workforce development, increased production, reduced wear and tear on equipment, and safety. Our services aim to help companies improve profits, increase safety, and extend the life and availability of their equipment and machinery.

During the pandemic, trainers found it difficult to spend time one-on-one inside a simulator due to social distancing. To address this, we developed a number of solutions that would allow trainers to be outside the simulator and still be effective. Teachers could then provide the necessary training without the risk of physical proximity. Simultaneously, we saw a shift in the market as ESG principles became more important. Considering new market demands, we developed a series of solutions to offer autonomous and greener operations.

Q: What are the company's differentiators and what is the added value it offers?
A: Our main differentiator is our focus on the human factor. Other organizations do not typically consider the impact that operators have on the adoption of new technologies. They typically tend to focus on replacing technology with newer, lower-impact, more sustainable technology but forget the operator perspective and training. This is a mistake. Our technology focuses on the deployment of new technology while addressing operators' concerns.

Q: How open has the Mexican mining sector been to Immersive Technologies' solutions?
A: We play a key role in educating our clients about what is available and how new technologies really advance their operations and profits. The mining industry often lags behind in the adoption of new technologies compared to other sectors, but there is a greater demand for new technologies. Other Latin American countries, such as Chile and Peru, are readily adopting autonomous mining and electrification. But Mexico still has a ways to go in those areas. Mexico can be challenging due to its high reliance on traditional technology, but it is also an opportunity to present our solutions and grow our operations.

Q: What problems does Mexico’s mining industry face and how is Immersive Technologies addressing them?
A: There is a shrinking talent pool in Mexico and abroad that is affecting more than the mining sector. The mining industry is also not as attractive to younger generations as it used to be, creating a talent gap. Our technologies and tools can be used to recruit, train, and retain operators. Technologies like virtual and augmented reality resonate with new generations, making our solutions great allies to accelerate talent acquisition and training. We have seen a 40%-50% reduction in the training time of operators, depending on the skill, machinery, and talent.

Q: What is the latest cutting-edge technology that the company has incorporated into its solutions and what have been its benefits?
A: Virtual reality solutions have great potential to improve training and operational safety, allowing supervisors to train operators from a safe environment while recreating complex mining scenarios. As a result, the supervisor can identify deviations from standard operating procedures without putting anyone at risk. Artificial intelligence tools are also being used to create ideal operator profiles, which later help to identify performance deficiencies or gaps on the part of the operators. While we have seen the success of data analytics, there is an organizational struggle to turn this data into actions. Our main differentiator is that we provide this data in a more simplified way so our clients can better plan their next steps.

Q: What are Immersive Technologies’ short- and long-term goals in Mexico?
A: We recently introduced the Pro5 Simulator, which is unparalleled in the market. It has cutting-edge technology that goes beyond any other machine. We also introduced other technologies, forcing us to grow as an organization to meet market demand. We just celebrated our 30th year in business and have expanded to our 50th country. Given these achievements, our outlook for the coming years is quite aggressive. We will continue to develop simulation products, virtual reality, e-learning, and more technologies to offer innovative solutions.

In Mexico, our greatest opportunities are in underground mining. Many mines are still quite outdated in terms of machinery and training capacity. Our main strategy will be to continue promoting digitalization and to demonstrate the safety, profitability, and efficiency it brings. In Mexico, digitalization has barely scratched the surface of what can be done. It is an exciting time for the Mexican market, and we have invested in both resources and people in the region. We recognize that there is still a great deal of work to do, but there are also many opportunities.
 

Immersive Technologies is a global leader in the development of training and workforce solutions for the mining industry. It builds simulators and other solutions to allow mining companies to better train their workforces.