John Brooks is the founder and CEO of Mass Virtual, a visionary technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving product and solution innovation across Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Augmented Reality (AR) for each industrial and defense sectors.
Under John’s leadership, Mass Virtual has developed the MassXR platform, a complicated training ecosystem that integrates a Universal Learning Content Management System (uLCMS) with cutting-edge simulations, gamification, and instructional video support. Designed to reinforce real-world skills and student performance, the MassXR platform empowers organizations with a secure, sustainable, and cost-effective XR training solution, complete with instructor management tools to create an immersive, results-driven learning experience.
Could you tell us about your transition from serving as an Air Force aircrew member to founding Mass Virtual? What inspired you to start out the corporate in 2009?
My journey from serving within the Air Force to founding Mass Virtual was deeply personal. After years of traveling the globe and dedicating myself to my military duties, I discovered myself longing to be more present for my family. I desired to carve out a profession where I could mix my love for technology and the humanities with the insights gained from my military experience. The world of digital innovation captivated me, but I noticed that the pace inside the military was slower than I envisioned. I spotted I had the chance to create something meaningful and impactful, so I made a decision to take the leap and begin Mass Virtual. It was my likelihood to not only sustain with the longer term but to assist shape it, and I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about that path.
How has your military background influenced the direction and mission of Mass Virtual, particularly in designing solutions for defense and aviation industries?
My military background has played a pivotal role in shaping each my approach and the mission of Mass Virtual. It instilled in me the importance of adaptability and strategic considering, especially in high-pressure situations. Within the military, we regularly faced complex and dynamic challenges that required us to think on our feet and consider a wide selection of possibilities. This experience has translated seamlessly into how we develop our training solutions. At Mass Virtual, we embrace that very same spirit of flexibility and thoroughness, ensuring our products are usually not just effective but in addition aware of the unique needs of the defense and aviation industries. It’s about crafting solutions that empower individuals to excel, and I’m incredibly proud to hold those lessons forward in our work.
Because you founded Mass Virtual over 15 years ago, how has VR/XR technology evolved? What were among the early challenges you faced in constructing immersive training solutions, and the way have those been overcome as technology matured?
The evolution of VR/XR technology has been nothing in need of extraordinary over the past 15 years. After we first set out, the landscape was quite different; there was skepticism in regards to the potential of those technologies, and we regularly faced hurdles with limited adoption. It was a challenge to persuade stakeholders of the immense advantages VR and XR could bring to training and education.
Nevertheless, as advancements in hardware and software emerged, together with significant cost reductions, we witnessed a shift in perception. The door began to open, allowing us to showcase the true capabilities of immersive training. Our team remained steadfast in our vision, believing from the outset that this technology was destined to go mainstream. We dedicated ourselves to refining our products, pushing the boundaries of what was possible, and today, that commitment has truly paid off for us and our customers.
Because the market matured, so did our understanding of the best way to tailor our solutions to satisfy the evolving needs of our users. The journey has been crammed with learning and growth. I’m proud to say that today we’re helping corporations implement their very own XR strategies and road maps to attain workforce proficiency.
Mass Virtual’s technology is deployed across 135+ locations and supports over 31,000 USAF members annually. How did you scale the platform to such a large reach, and what role did technological advancements play in achieving that?
Scaling Mass Virtual has been an exciting journey, driven by our customers’ needs and their belief in the worth we bring to their training programs. We recognized early on that our platform needed to be adaptable, so we designed it with specific use cases in mind, allowing us to reply quickly to various requirements across different locations.
The success of our expansion can be a testament to our incredible team, whose passion and commitment to innovation have been instrumental in our growth. They share a vision that goes beyond just delivering a terrific product; it’s about creating meaningful training experiences that genuinely enhance outcomes for our users.
Technological advancements have played a major role on this journey. As VR/XR technology has matured, we have been capable of leverage recent tools and methodologies to refine our offerings. This has allowed us to achieve a wider audience and meet the needs of the various organizations we serve. It’s immensely rewarding to see our solutions making a difference within the lives of hundreds of service members, and it motivates us to maintain pushing forward together.
You’ve seen firsthand how VR has transformed training within the military. Are you able to walk us through how immersive simulations can speed up mission readiness and address skills gaps in industries like manufacturing and aviation?
Immersive simulations have truly revolutionized training, and I’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand. The great thing about VR lies in its ability to create realistic scenarios that allow learners to interact deeply with the subject material. This accelerates learning and skills acquisition, making training not only effective but in addition motivating.
Take aviation maintenance training, for instance. With VR, maintainers can practice complex tasks in a controlled environment without the necessity for an actual aircraft. This not only enhances their skills but in addition builds confidence, allowing them to deal with mastering their craft. The result? Higher prepared maintainers who can respond swiftly and effectively to real-world challenges.
Furthermore, this approach isn’t limited to aviation. Industries like manufacturing are also reaping the advantages. VR can simulate intricate machinery operations, enabling employees to realize hands-on experience without the chance of costly mistakes. By addressing skills gaps and improving knowledge retention, immersive simulations pave the way in which for a more competent workforce.
Overall, VR training not only enhances mission readiness but in addition cultivates a culture of continuous learning and improvement. It’s an exciting time to be a part of this evolution, and I can’t wait to see the way it continues to shape various industries.
The MassXR platform encompasses a Universal Learning Content Management System (uLCMS). Are you able to explain how this technique enhances training experiences, and the way it integrates with third-party content and devices to create a seamless training environment?
The uLCMS is actually the backbone of our MassXR platform, designed to simplify the management of complex training infrastructures. Consider it as a central hub that brings together various XR content, making it incredibly easy for organizations to curate and access an unlimited catalog of simulations and training materials.
What excites me in regards to the uLCMS is the way it empowers users. It allows for real-time tracking of progress and performance, ensuring that learners have the proper materials at their fingertips. That is crucial for fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst team members, whether or not they’re in the identical room or across the globe.
Furthermore, our system seamlessly integrates with third-party content and devices, which implies that organizations are limitless within the vendors they will probably want to utilize because our uLCMS manages any XR content they own inside a turnkey system. It provides corporations with insights in addition to accessible ROI to raised understand trends — whether in weeks, months or years, giving them higher visibility in decision-making for next steps in terms of their XR strategy.
This flexibility enhances the educational experience and encourages a culture of continuous improvement and creates a training environment that’s each efficient and fascinating. I’m proud to say that our uLCMS plays a significant role in achieving that.
With the rise of distant work and distributed teams, how has Mass Virtual adapted to supply flexible learning solutions which are accessible anytime, anywhere?
In today’s rapidly changing landscape, we recognized that flexibility is crucial for effective learning. Our system was intentionally designed to support team-based learning experiences, facilitating collaboration in dynamic environments, no matter where team members are positioned.
One in all the features I’m particularly pleased with is how our platform allows users to interact in simulation together, closely emulating real-world scenarios. This virtual environment enables users to learn and practice tasks collaboratively, as they might in real world settings – whether or not they’re in several buildings, states and even continents.
By learning to work ‘together’ – performing different, simultaneous tasks as a cohesive team – users not only enhance their very own performance but in addition construct stronger relationships amongst colleagues, fostering a supportive and connected culture.
As a technology leader with over 20 years of experience, how do you foster innovation inside your team, especially when leading cross-functional and globally distributed teams?
Fostering innovation starts with assembling a team of passionate individuals who bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table. I consider that hiring for passion, moderately than simply qualifications, sets the stage for creativity and collaboration. Making a culture where everyone feels valued and heard is crucial.
I strive to cultivate an environment where team members feel empowered to share their ideas and take risks. Drawing inspiration from trailblazing corporations, I encourage my team to embrace the mindset of exploration and experimentation. It’s all about nurturing a shared vision and aligning our goals in order that we’re all moving in the identical direction.
Ultimately, innovation is not only about internal processes; it’s also about understanding and supporting the needs of our clients. By staying attuned to their challenges and aspirations, we are able to tailor our solutions to satisfy their evolving demands. After we prioritize our clients’ success, we create a collaborative atmosphere that drives innovation and results in impactful outcomes. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness how this approach helps us construct lasting partnerships while constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Looking back in your journey with Mass Virtual, what are you most pleased with, and what excites you in regards to the way forward for immersive technologies?
Reflecting on my journey with Mass Virtual, I find that my best pride lies within the incredible people I get to work with daily. We’ve built a compassionate and inclusive environment that fosters collaboration and creativity. There’s nothing quite like seeing our team members grow and flourish and knowing that we’re all contributing to something meaningful makes every challenge worthwhile.
I’m equally thrilled in regards to the way forward for immersive technologies. The chances are limitless, and it’s exciting to take into consideration how we are able to proceed to innovate and make a positive impact across various industries. We’re on the cusp of a technological revolution, and I genuinely consider that our work will play a major role in shaping how people learn and interact with technology. The journey ahead is crammed with potential, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together!
