Using a virtual reality headset in the simulation of the control room of a nuclear power plant

Simulators for operator training have long been in use for nuclear power plants. These are traditionally full-scope simulators with an expensive physical replica of the control room. Recent advances in virtual reality headsets provide affordable means for presenting a stereoscopic view of a virtual model of the control room. While the commercially available headsets are still not perfect, they offer more realism than flat screens, showing a stereoscopic view. The paper provides some details on how a virtual reality headset has been utilized for viewing the virtual control room of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, modeled with the Blender Game Engine, with an added autofocus feature based on a pragmatic method. Some aspects of the solution are outlined, and, partially based on the experiences gained in the project, current problems and future trends of virtual reality headsets are discussed.