Projects (4)
The Grid - Near Miss
Developed for Canadian National Railway (CN), the Near Miss module utilizes the high-fidelity passthrough of the Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise to immerse users in "Life Critical" augmented reality training. The experience focuses on the high-stakes discipline of crossing a single set of tracks, where situational awareness is non-negotiable. Users must physically throw a manual switch and perform the Point and Call protocol to verify their actions, building the essential muscle memory required for safe field operations.
The simulation emphasizes the immediate consequences of a safety lapse: if a user forgets to look both ways before stepping across the tracks, they are struck by an oncoming train. By prioritizing this direct, visceral outcome over complex menus, the module reinforces a vital lesson for CN personnel—that consistent, disciplined safety checks are the only way to prevent fatal accidents.
The Grid - Slack Simulator
The Slack Simulator is a high-fidelity VR experience designed to be used in direct synchronization with a physical slack-action machine. By donning the headset while riding the hardware, users are transported into a visually stunning, aesthetically detailed rail yard that replaces the sterile training center with a fully realized industrial environment. The module uses a 360-degree soundscape of realistic yard ambience.
The simulation offers high versatility, allowing instructors to configure the experience for either shoving or trailing movements to cover different operational perspectives. While navigating the yard, users must contend with the environmental realities of the job—including a territorial goose that may charge the player as a dynamic distraction. This blend of physical motion, immersive visuals, and unpredictable "yard life" elements ensures that students aren't just learning the mechanics of slack, but are doing so within a vivid, lifelike atmosphere that captures the true essence of the rail yard.
The Grid - Switches and Routes
The Switches and Routes module provides a high-fidelity simulation designed to master the logistical and safety-critical tasks of rail yard operations. By interacting with detailed "digital twins" of major North American hubs—including the FIT, Symington, MacMillan, and Markham yards—users step into the role of a ground operator tasked with navigating complex track geometries. The primary objective is to move locomotives and rolling stock efficiently by manually aligning a series of switches to create a clear, continuous path. This hands-on approach transforms theoretical routing logic into a practical skill set, ensuring students can visualize and execute movements through dense, high-traffic environments without error.
Safety and procedural discipline are at the heart of the experience. The simulation strictly enforces Point and Call procedures, requiring users to physically and verbally confirm the position of every switch before and after it is thrown. To maintain realism, the module introduces environmental variables, such as track debris, which users must clear using a broom to ensure a proper switch point fit. This level of granular detail reinforces the habit of "looking twice" and emphasizes that operational efficiency never comes at the cost of safety protocols.
Beyond simple routing, the module offers an advanced curriculum focused on Track Protection. Students learn to secure specific sections of the yard for maintenance or safety zones by strategically deploying flags, derails, and switch locks. By mastering these defensive measures, users gain a comprehensive understanding of how to isolate tracks and protect ground crews from unexpected movements. This dual focus on both active transit and stationary protection ensures that employees are prepared for the full spectrum of responsibilities encountered in a live rail yard.
The Grid - Switches and Routes
The Grid - Working at Heights
This immersive VR simulation provides a risk-free platform for practicing working at heights and navigating a train bridge. Users begin by equipping their Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS). The module emphasizes the critical "100% tie-off" rule, requiring users to utilize two safety lanyards to maintain constant attachment as they alternate between rail sliders and vehicle tie-off points.
The training features two distinct operational scenarios focused on movement and safety protocols. In the primary scenario, users must navigate around a vehicle on the bridge to reach a specific destination; in the second, they must perform these same maneuvers to reach and assist a fellow worker in a localized rescue.
Video Highlights
CN - Near Miss Playthrough April 27 2026 - YouTube
CN - Near Miss Playthrough April 27 2026
BSD XR
CN Slacker Trailer - YouTube
CN Slacker Trailer
BSD XR
CN Switches and Routes Preview - YouTube
CN Switches and Routes Preview
BSD XR
CN Working from Heights - YouTube
CN Working from Heights
BSD XR