FAQ: Avatar Academy, licensing, headsets and support
Answers to the questions buyers ask most about Avatar Academy, our VR training platform.
- Live in hoursready-made courses
- 6 to 16 weeksfor your own procedures
- Unlimited operatorsone annual site licence
- Meta Quest linestandalone headsets
Getting started
What is Avatar Academy?
Avatar Academy is the immersive VR training platform built by Mersus Technologies for industrial and life sciences organisations. Operators practise simulations of real equipment and procedures, as often as they need, without risk to people or equipment.
How is Avatar Academy licensed?
Usually with an annual site licence that covers unlimited operators on that site. Terms depend on your sites, courses and headsets. See how licensing works.
How long does it take to get started?
Ready-made courses are live in hours, with support included. Simulations of your own procedures typically take 6 to 16 weeks, depending on complexity, because they start with capturing the procedure with your team.
Do we need to buy our own headsets?
That is up to you. We can supply headsets as part of your deployment, or you can buy your own. Either way, we help with setup.
Which headsets does Avatar Academy run on?
Avatar Academy is compatible with the Meta Quest line: standalone, wireless headsets that need no PC or server.
How it works
Do we need specialist IT infrastructure?
No. The headsets are standalone, so day-to-day use needs no PC, server or specialist infrastructure. We handle setup and configuration as part of deployment.
Ready-made courses or a custom build?
Both, and many customers use a mix. Ready-made courses cover injection moulding, robot arm operation and fire safety. For procedures specific to your operation, we build a simulation with your subject matter experts.
How does hand tracking work?
Trainees use their own hands in VR, with no controllers, so they practise with the same movements as the real task.
What are the training modes?
Every course runs in three modes: Explainer guides the trainee step by step, Practice allows unlimited repetition, and Exam assesses competence.
Can content be updated after deployment?
Yes. Content is managed centrally, so an update reaches every headset.
Can people train together?
Yes, with Meetup, the multi-user mode of Avatar Academy. Up to four people from your organisation can join the same session, in every learning mode. Some scenarios are built for teams and need at least two people, and there is a meeting room with a whiteboard and slides. Training a person completes in Meetup counts towards their own results. Meetup is available to any customer on request. See Meetup.
Records and reporting
How do we monitor trainee progress?
Managers see completion, assessment scores and each trainee’s progress in the Avatar Academy web portal. Reports can be exported.
Do the records replace our own sign-off?
No. Avatar Academy records every exam attempt as evidence before your own sign-off. Your sign-off process stays yours.
Has Avatar Academy been used in GMP-regulated environments?
Yes. It has been deployed in GMP-regulated medical device and biopharma manufacturing environments, including Boston Scientific and Freudenberg Medical.
Support and scale
Is technical support included?
Yes. Support is included with every deployment, for setup, content management and any technical issues.
Can it scale across sites?
Yes. Content, users and reporting are managed centrally, so operators on every site train to the same standard and managers see every site.
How many people can use it at once?
There is no fixed limit on how many operators use Avatar Academy across your sites; Boston Scientific Cork has completed more than 16,000 line clearance training sessions. Within one Meetup session, up to four people train together.
Custom development
What is involved in a custom simulation?
Three stages: specification, where we turn your procedure into a narrative and design document; development, in work packages with your review at each stage; and delivery, including testing and deployment support.
Can you build experiences beyond training?
Yes. We also build immersive experiences for product showcases, trade shows and sales. See Immersive marketing.
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