TOKYO, Mar 22, 2019 – All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and 5-star airline for six consecutive years, has begun using the latest virtual reality (VR) technology developed by NEC Corporation (NEC) to provide enhanced safety training to flight attendants. Already widely recognized as a global standard bearer for in-flight service, ANA is moving to update its training with the latest technology to ensure that all flight attendants are prepared for a wide range of in-flight scenarios.
ANA has a history of technological innovation, and the use of VR to replicate a range of emergency scenarios will prepare flight attendants to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a crisis. The entire VR program is part of a collaboration with NEC to provide an immersive and dynamic training environment that encourages flight attendants to think quickly and creatively.
“VR opens the doors to emergency training scenarios that we were previously unable to address in an interactive manner due to safety concerns,'” said Hitomi Yamamoto, Executive Vice President of ANA. “Instead of learning how to address these situations from a textbook in the classroom, flight attendants will be able to combat dangers in real time through accurate VR recreations. ANA has a legacy of prioritizing customer safety and innovation, and this new generation of VR training will allow us to continue our leadership in both of these spaces.”
ANA first began to use this advanced training system in 2018, and all 800 new flight attendants received VR training in the program’s three distinct scenarios: internal cabin fire, sudden depressurization and in-flight equipment check.
“NEC has a well-established track record of developing VR solutions for corporate applications that include training for atypical work sites, simulations for usability testing and solutions for remote teleconferencing,” said Kazuhiro Sakai, executive vice president of NEC Corporation. “NEC is focusing on the social solutions business, and by providing these state-of-the-art ICT technologies, we aim to achieve an efficient and sophisticated society where people are able to
enjoy brighter and more enriched lives.”
The VR training is an important first step in ANA’s partnership with NEC to build a “Virtual Work Place” that will streamline the future of work. This cutting-edge working environment utilizes VR to eliminate limits on time and space while also allowing humans and AI to work together.
Going forward, ANA will continue exploring ways to harness the power of VR in order to improve service and heighten connections.
For more information, visit: https://www.ana.co.jp/group/en/
