Rinnai America is using VR (Virtual Reality) to demonstrate to DIY’ers and professional installers how easy it is to install a tankless water heater. The VR experience was launched at the 2018 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Atlanta to rave reviews. Rinnai American hired Dallas based Groove Jones to create the experience.
Yank the Tank
Groove Jones worked with Rinnai’s agency, Hitchcock Fleming & Associates on the experience, appropriately titled – Yank the Tank. It is part game, part product demo.
Yank the Tank starts off with a fun twist to remove an old water tank and ends with a business call to action.
First of all, participants take their pick of fun tools to smash up an old water tank in VR before they replace it with a new Rinnai® Sensei™ tankless system.
Choose from a Lightsword, Sledgehammer or a frying pan. These “tools” immediately get the user into the action as they smash away at the rusty old water tank before removing it.
The lightsword is fun, but the sledgehammer really gives the user a good workout. Within 30 seconds, the old water tank is ready to be yanked!
After “Yanking the Tank” the user walks through the step by step process of installing the Sensei tankless system.
There are a few practical challenges in the experience to educate the user. They have to determine with type of gas line to run as well as selecting the size of venting needed for the job. The application walks you through the decision making process, providing hints and suggestions during the installation.
The Production – Learn by Doing
There is significant research that people learn by doing and that by actually taking part in an experience that simulates the installation process, a person will gain more confidence in their capabilities, versus just watching a demo video. The VR experience uses the HTC Vive headset and controllers to allow participants to fully interact with the environment.
As part of the production, Groove Jones visited Rinnai’s headquarters near Atlanta GA to learn about the installation process and used actual product parts when creating the 3D objects in the VR experience. The team collaborated with Rinnai’s training teams to make sure the experience is as close as possible to what a person would experience when installing it themselves.
About Rinnai America
Rinnai was founded in 1920 by Hidejiro Naito and Kanekichi Hayashi, who quickly established a tradition of constant improvement. They started by manufacturing and selling pressurized oil cooking stoves. By the early 1930s, they expanded into gas appliances, including cooking stoves, ranges and space heaters; and since 1964 Rinnai has been efficiently heating water. Today, more than 30 million Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters have been installed worldwide. For more information visit https://www.rinnai.us
About Groove Jones
Groove Jones is an award-winning interactive and visual effects studio, specializing in the creation of 360º video commercial productions, immersive Virtual Reality experiences and Augmented Reality apps. Groove Jones partners with agencies and brands to connect with their audiences through the digital devices in their lives. Their client list includes AT&T, Amazon, Comcast, Fiat, Intel, McDonald’s, Nestle, Under Armour, and Samsung.
For more information please visit www.groovejones.com / Twitter: @groovejonesvr / Facebook: Facebook.com/GrooveJonesVR
Contact
Dan Ferguson
Groove Jones
Office: (214) 749-0094 x 631
dan@groovejones.com
