Providence, RI, December 2, 2020 – STRAC Institute and Brown University have entered into a research agreement that can change the way vocational training is delivered worldwide.
Vocational skills have traditionally been taught “hands-on” in the classroom. “We see this changing,” said Michael Videira, President of STRAC Institute, a technical school based in Providence. “We believe the skills of tool manipulation can effectively be taught by haptic simulation training.” Haptics involves the use of technology to simulate the sense of touch.
Rhode Island business boosts efficiency and sustainability with Rhode Island Energy
Hexagon, a global technology and software company, develops products that combine sensor, software and autonomous…
Learn More
The two schools are developing a virtual multimodal (visual, audio, and haptic) soldering system to augment conventional hands-on soldering training methods.
“I am excited about our collaboration,” added Dr. Stefanie Tellex, Brown’s Principal Investigator. “Soldering skills are a real limitation to scaling our educational drone program. There is a lot of opportunity to improve the process through the virtual experience.”
Videira anticipates bringing the benefits of this research to other vocational training, such as plumbing, electrical, and carpentry. “This technology is on track to become the scalable and affordable solution to providing skills training remotely.”
STRAC Institute delivers an intensive four to five-month program to prepare students for careers as Certified Electronics Technicians. For more information, visit www.stracinstitute.com.
Founded in 1764 and located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown is a leading research university and home to world-renowned faculty. For more information, go to www.brown.edu.
