Brazilian Customs officers face increasingly complex challenges while combating smuggling, tax evasion and trafficking. They frequently encounter high-risk situations, including armed confrontations with criminals, and must undergo regular practical training, especially for field operations.

Training methods would usually include in-person training and virtual training delivered through videoconferencing platforms. However, both have their limitations. Bringing together officers and equipment in the same place requires significant time and financial resources to cover the costs of travel and accommodation given Brazil’s vast territory. Meanwhile, virtual training lacks the practical elements necessary for field operations training.

The RFB therefore saw a pressing need for a more efficient and engaging training method that could bridge the gap between in-person and existing virtual learning.

Meanwhile, in the Innovation Department of the RFB, Carlos Dohrn, project manager and software developer, had been researching virtual reality (VR) and its use cases for a number of years. As a result, he made a proposal to the Training Department to pilot the use of this technology. In 2023, with the help of some of his colleagues, he began designing what is now called the “Virtual Reality Customs Training Generator” (GTA-VR).

The GTA-VR project was designed with the following objectives in mind:

1. Simulation of practical scenarios: Creating a platform that reflects real-world Customs work situations.
2. Engagement: Maintaining participants’ attention and curiosity throughout training sessions.
3. Relevance: Ensuring that content is directly applicable to Customs activities.
4. Confidence building: Helping participants gain confidence in their abilities through practice within the virtual environment.
5. Performance review: Facilitating continuous improvement through performance evaluations during virtual training sessions.

The Innovation Department consists of a small, multidisciplinary team and, as such, it lacked the budget, expertise and equipment required for such a large project. Mr. Dohrn had little prior experience with VR development and had to acquire specialized knowledge in order to be able to handle the programming of the application.

As VR applications are very GPU-intensive, hardware that was not widely available within the RFB had to be found. It was also not always possible to purchase software licenses and training courses, which were mainly offered in other countries, because of procurement rules and financial restrictions.

Flávio Lima, regional innovation manager at the RFB, who also worked on the project, found ways to overcome some of these challenges. Mr. Dohrn was instructed to focus solely on the project, and any equipment seized by Customs was made available to the team. These included many VR headsets and one GPU-capable notebook. To overcome the financial restrictions, free licensed software was used, while free learning materials were gathered from official documentation and the internet.

This was the institution’s first venture into VR technology, and it demonstrated the potential for government agencies to leverage cutting-edge technology through internal expertise.

The development involved several phases:

1. Planning and analysis (Q1 2023): technology presentation to stakeholders, training needs assessment, requirements identification and technical feasibility studies.
2. Design and prototyping (Q2 2023): virtual environment creation, user interaction design and prototype evaluation.
3. Development (Q2-Q3 2023): implementation of virtual environments, programming of interactive elements, and integration of audio and video.
4. Testing and adjustments (Q3-Q4 2023): user testing, functionality and usability refinement, and performance optimization.
5. Deployment (Q4 2023): preparation of training materials, equipment set-up, delivery of training sessions and collection of user feedback.
6. Maintenance (Q1 2024 onwards): ongoing user support and bug fixes, and feature expansions.

GTA-VR is an application developed for Meta Quest VR headsets. Instructors can monitor and record simulations via computer, while users can customize their avatars and participate individually or collaboratively, either locally or remotely.

GTA-VR has a flexible framework that can accommodate diverse training environments. It currently includes the following training modules:

• Vehicle Inspection with simulations covering vehicle approach procedures, suspect interviewing, search techniques and armed confrontation scenarios.
• Arena which provides advanced training on firearms handling, tactical movement, building entry procedures and hostage situation management.

The application is not intended to replace traditional training methods but rather to complement them. It offers several innovative features that set it apart:

• Immersive experience: The virtual reality environment provides a realistic simulation of work situations while maintaining the safety of participants.
• Remote accessibility: Officers can participate in training sessions remotely while still experiencing the physical sense of presence of in-person training.
• Enhanced evaluation: The platform allows both participants and instructors to record and review training sessions from multiple angles, facilitating better performance assessment without the need for external cameras.
• Flexible scenarios: Instructors can quickly modify training scenarios and participant roles through the application interface, reducing preparation time and maintaining engagement.
• Cost-effective training method: By eliminating travel requirements as well as the need for large spaces and specific security measures, the platform significantly reduces training costs while maintaining effectiveness.

Launched in November 2023, GTA-VR has been integrated into official training programmes. Two classes of six participants each have already completed an eight-hour programme, consisting of VR sessions and other related activities, and have undergone performance reviews.

During the post-training motivation survey, participants gave scores averaging 93% in areas such as capacity to remain attentive, relevance of the content, confidence building and overall satisfaction.

Carlos Machado, Customs Training Adviser at the RFB, is enthusiastic about the VR training, which he believes can enhance officers’ engagement and performance. By practising exercises many times, officers can improve their skills in areas such as inspections and combat operations. They can also identify and correct any mistakes they make, both individually and as a team, increasing their capacity to ensure the safety of the group in the process. Having witnessed the impact of the first training modules on users, Mr. Machado intends to expand virtual training to include X-ray image analysis and counterfeit goods identification.

The initiative has captured the attention of national media, including newspapers and television, which prompted a visit by the German Customs Attaché in Brazil. The application was also showcased at the 2024 WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition.

In addition, partnerships have been established with universities and local Customs offices to develop research on VR and expand the application further.

Finally, the GTA-VR won first prize at the 23^rd RFB Innovation Awards and was also presented at the RFB Innovation Week 2024, an online event open to the public.

The successful implementation of GTA-VR illustrates the transformative potential of VR in Customs training, particularly with regard to Customs operations. This initiative demonstrates how government agencies can effectively leverage emerging technologies to enhance operational capabilities while managing costs and logistics efficiently.

More information
Carlos Dohrn
Carlos Eduardo Machado
Flavio Lima