Hardware Podcasts

Bob Ferris | Engineering More Effective Training Hardware & Simulators for Law Enforcement & Military

Being an Engineer · 3 Mar 2023 · 54m · Episode 9

What this episode covers

Bob Ferris, co-CEO of VirTra, explains how his company pivoted from entertainment VR to law enforcement and military simulators following 9/11, leveraging early expertise in immersive technology. He details the engineering behind their 300-degree simulators, which use high-definition video, V-author branching software, and mechanical recoil kits powered by compressed air to simulate realistic firearm dynamics. Ferris emphasizes the importance of 'threat fire' systems that deliver electric impulses to simulate return fire, aiming to replicate the psychological stress and physiological responses of real-life incidents. The episode highlights VirTra's focus on creating best-in-class training tools that improve officer safety and decision-making under pressure.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
VirTra, Ferris Productions
Products
threat fire, recoil kits
Materials
CO2, scuba air
Also
V-author

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