4 tips to keep VR headsets in good condition
Immersive Learning means Virtual Reality, and Virtual Reality means VR headsets. As technology progresses, Virtual Reality equipment is more and more affordable and of better quality.
Many organizations are already equipped with a fleet of hundreds or even thousands of VR headsets, and manage them remotely. Updating and installation of applications is done through so-called MDM (Mobile Device Management) platforms such as 42Gears or Oculus for Business. However, when it comes to the “physical” management of these headsets, good practices are essential.
As knights used to did in the Middle Ages, simple gestures make it possible to maintain good material and hygienic conditions. Discover these 4 tips to maintain your VR headsets fleet and become a true knight of the order of Immersive Learning.
Charge them (but not too much)
A good VR headset is a charged headset. After each use, check headset and controller battery to avoid any surprises next time you use them.
Obviously, if it is important to keep your fleet charged, be careful to put off the headsets battery and not leaving them on the mains indefinitely.
The knights of the Immersive Learning order must be prepared for any situation. Therefore, remember to always have their power cables and spare batteries in your bag. A little extra? Use power bank to recharge while using your headsets.
The ultimate tip of the Knights of the Round Table
Have a portable charger powerful enough to charge a VR headset and small enough to slip it into your learners’ pockets. When you leave for a long day of training, this tip can save you precious minutes of use.
Plus, it’s easy to use:
- Connect the headset to the power bank with its power cable.
- Put the battery in your learner’s pocket and the headset on his head.
- Let the learner live his Immersive Learning experience on his own
A perfect hygiene is essential
Virtual Reality headsets passed from hand to hand (or rather head to head). In these conditions several reasons can lead you to clean your headsets, so here are a few recommendations before you start (“drop your hydroalcoholic solution young knight, it could be fatal“):
- Do not use abrasive cleaning solutions
- Never use alcohol on contact lenses
- Refer first to the advice provided by your headset supplier
Then proceed step by step:
- Start with the outside of the headset and any parts your learner may have touched (levers, straps, etc.) using antibacterial, non-abrasive wipes.
- Wipe until the surface appears wet, leave it for 10 minutes and dry with a clean microfiber cloth to remove any residues.
- Next, inside the headset. If your headset is equipped with a removable foam or a silicone part, remove it to clean it separately. Proceed in the same way as before. The foam protection is washable in the washing machine (30°, delicate cycle).
Be careful, lenses should be handled with extreme care and wipes containing alcohol should not be used as they may damage lenses. Opt for a microfiber wipe (a clean one, not the one you used before, young knight). Make sure that all parts are dry before putting the headset back into service.
Moreover, new premium cleaning solutions using ultraviolet radiation technologies such as Cleanbox can kill 99.99% of germs and viruses in just a few minutes.
The ultimate tip of the Knights of the Round Table to take care of your VR headset in times of pandemic
Wash your hands thoroughly, put on gloves, wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth. And think about individual single-use protection that will prevent direct contact between headset and face.
You look like a ninja? That’s good, protect yourself, protect others!
Manage your armory
Whether you are a nomadic or a sedentary knight, solutions exists to store your headsets in total safety. In fact the nomadic ones, will opt for a suitcase or a bag (see an example here) with padlock and for the sedentary ones, a locker. Don’t forget to include all the necessary elements:
- VR Headsets (obviously)
- Power cable and multi-USB support to avoid multiple outlets
- Spare batteries
- Power Banks
- 4G key or ready to use Wi-Fi router
Bonus: keep an eye on your stock
Always keep an eye on your inventory and its condition. Here we share with you our Excel template that we use at Uptale for headsets and 360° cameras, make good use of it!