08 Apr 2024
by Santo Orlando

DfT En Route to an Immersive Future

Insight helped the Department for Transport (DfT) understand how immersive technology could enhance its services.

Following a discovery project including live demonstrations, interviews, surveys and workshops, the government department was presented with clear use cases and a roadmap for the future deployment of the technology.

Background

The DfT works with its agencies to support the UK’s transport network, enabling businesses, people and goods to effectively travel around the country.

Through the HealthTrust Europe (HTE) ComIT 2 framework, the DfT’s central policy area(DfT (C)), chose Insight to identify potential use cases for how immersive technologies could be deployed to improve collaboration and enhance services.

Challenge

As a large organisation that employs 18,000 people in locations across the UK, the DfT had the vision and forethought that technologies like virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality(MR) could transform the way it delivered training, conducted investigations, engaged with stakeholders and presented complex data. 

Knowing the transformative potential of immersive technology, it turned to its strategic technology partner for a holistic approach to identify optimal use cases, starting witha pilot at DfT (C), in multiple locations. It was looking for an effective strategy and consultancy solution for deployment to ensure maximum buy-in from end users.

"Immersive technology has enormous potential to transform how we interact with our stakeholders across the country and enable us to make quicker decisions. We are a complex organisation, and with Insight’s expertise, we have been able to identify where it can be deployed to make the most impact."

- Justin Bone, Digital Business Partner (DBP) for AMS and DTSG, Digital Business Partnering, Department for Transport.-

 

“The demonstrator applications that Insight developed enabled our teams to get hands-on with the technology and really brought to life how the technology will help them collaborate more effectively.”

- Tracy Browning, Senior Project Manager, Digital Service, Digital, Information and Security Directorate-

Solution and Outcome

Insight’s discovery project identified use cases through a combination of interviews, surveys and workshops. It also included the provision of demonstrator applications, enabling employees to explore the potential of VR and MR.

Using its deep understanding of immersive technology, Insight developed four potential use cases:

  • Remote assistance-  Using the Remote Assist feature on Microsoft HoloLens 2 headsets, air and marine accident investigators have the potential to be able to capture real-time evidence and collaborate quickly with remote specialists – making future investigations more cost and time effective.
  • Data visualisation - Using holographic models, two ways of improving the visualisation of data were shown through HoloLens 2 and HTC Focus 3. The devices will enhance collaboration and output across work groups.
  • Virtual training - Another solution focused on the deployment of VR devices to provide immersive training experiences with bespoke scenario simulations, where employees are trained in a safe and engaging environment.
  • Staff wellbeing - Finally, a workplace wellbeing solution that can provide all employees with access to a range of mindfulness exercises, accessible from any location.

Thanks to Insight, DfT (C) now has a clearer understanding of immersive technology, and understands how it can deliver this in a strategic way that will deliver efficiencies and enhance collaboration across its agencies.

Why Insight?

As the leading Solutions Integrator, Insight’s team of experts have extensive knowledge and capabilities of immersive technology solutions, providing customers with a complete end-to-end solution.

Insight is proud to be on 82 public sector frameworks, helping organisations procure leading technology solutions. It supports everything from the initial setup of immersive technology hardware and training of end users to device management, logistics, and integration services. Through a network of immersive technology partners, Insight is also able to deliver customised applications that meet each client’s specific requirements.


Heather Cover-Kus

Heather Cover-Kus

Head of Central Government Programme, techUK

Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.

Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat.  She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.

Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.

Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538

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Ellie Huckle

Ellie Huckle

Programme Manager, Central Government, techUK

Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.

The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!

Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.

When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2015
Twitter:
@techUK,@techUK
Website:
www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx,https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx

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Annie Collings

Annie Collings

Programme Manager, Cyber Security and Central Government, techUK

Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023. In this role, she supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector.

Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.

Email:
[email protected]
Twitter:
anniecollings24
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/

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Austin Earl

Austin Earl

Programme Manager, Central Government, techUK

Austin joined techUK’s Central Government team in March 2024 to launch a workstream within Education and EdTech.

With a career spanning technology, policy, media, events and comms, Austin has worked with technology communities, as well as policy leaders and practitioners in Education, Central and Local Government and the NHS.

Cutting his teeth working for Skills Matter, London’s developer community hub, Austin then moved to GovNet Communications where he launched Blockchain Live and the Cyber Security and Data Protection Summit. For the last 3 years he has worked with leaders in Education across the state and independent schools sectors, from primary up to higher education, with a strong research interest in technology and education management.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
07891 743 932
Website:
www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spencer-earl/,https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spencer-earl/

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Ella Gago-Brookes

Ella Gago-Brookes

Team Assistant, Markets, techUK

Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.  

Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022.  Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.  

In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.  

Email:
[email protected]

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Authors

Santo Orlando

Santo Orlando

EMEA Practice Director for Apps and Data Services