Team Voltcrafters is the recipient of Centre for Digital Media’s (CDM) Gerri Sinclair Award for Innovation in Digital Media in recognition of their VR simulator designed to train automotive students to safely replace a high voltage Electric Vehicle battery.
In an era where electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly transforming the automotive landscape, the demand for skilled technicians has never been higher. Addressing this need, a group of Master of Digital Media students worked to enhance EV battery repair training using cutting-edge technology.
The students’ journey began as an industry client project with Vancouver Community College's (VCC) Automotive Faculty, where the team set out to create a Virtual Reality (VR) Electric Vehicle Battery Repair Simulator. This simulator isn't just a tool—it’s a game-changer for the way students learn. The high-voltage EV battery simulator offers a risk-free environment for future mechanics to practice the intricate process of repairing and replacing EV batteries, without the real-world dangers that come with handling high-voltage components.
As the project moves into its next phase, several team members have transitioned into internships with VCC, where they continue to refine and expand the simulator. The hope is that this product will not only revolutionize EV training at VCC but also find its way into classrooms and repair shops across the globe, adapting to the evolving needs of the automotive industry.
In an industry increasingly defined by innovation, this project stands as a testament to how the students used VR to transform traditional learning into an interactive, immersive experience. By offering a safer, more engaging approach to hands-on training, this project is paving the way for the future of automotive education—one that meets the demands of a rapidly evolving, electrified world.
