Using ACT-R Architecture in the Design of Intelligent Tutoring Systems for VR Training of Manufacturing Skills

Virtual Reality (VR) can provide immersive psychomotor training experiences by simulating complex manufacturing processes without the constraints of physical location or access to machinery. This, combined with the capability of multimodal instructions and instant feedback, has led to the exploration of VR-based intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) designed for manufacturing skills training. These systems, however, have not explored the use of the well-established Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational (ACT-R) architecture that focuses on cognitive aspects of training. In this paper, we explore the design of an ACT-R based ITS framework for VR training of manufacturing skills like machining, drilling, or lathing. We detail the framework components which include designing instructions, constraint-based system model, warning and error states, action-based and time-based feedback, and the ITS architecture. Our work contributes to the growing research on designing training systems by laying the foundation for the design of personalized, context-aware instructions, and feedback-based training systems in VR, aimed to enhance learners’ training experience.