INSTN & LS Group: Transforming Nuclear Training with XR

At the heart of the French nuclear training ecosystem, INSTN—the National Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology—plays a key role in educating future operators, engineers, and researchers in low-carbon energy systems and health technologies.

To enhance training after the closure of the ISIS research reactor, INSTN partnered with LS Group and CEA’s scientific and LIST divisions to build a highly immersive digital learning platform: Evoc. Using HTC VIVE Focus 3, the experience allows users to operate a simulated nuclear reactor in virtual reality.

By integrating CEA’s Neutronic RKE server and X2 physics engine, the platform offers unmatched realism. Former plant operators and trainees alike are immersed in scenarios that mirror real-world conditions—an approach that significantly boosts engagement and knowledge retention.

HTC VIVE's XR ecosystem was selected for its precision calibration, efficient device management, and cable-free design—key features that improved training comfort and usability. The shift from early backpack PC-based setups to the VIVE Focus 3 helped deliver a more streamlined and immersive experience.

With Evoc, learners shift from passive classroom sessions to active participation, transforming the way nuclear training is delivered. The platform is not just a technological solution—it’s a pedagogical leap forward.

Featured Hardware, Software, and Solutions:

Video Transcript:

INSTN is the National Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology. It operates under the CEA. It is a higher education institute and a continuing education organisation. This organisation develops a variety of qualification programmes, ranging from operator training to nuclear engineering, as well as research roles in the fields of nuclear energy, low-carbon energy systems, and health technologies.

As part of the project, we involved CEA personnel, including the scientific directorate, as well as what we call the IST directorate: covering research, development, and new technologies, in partnership with LS Group. LS Group supports companies in defining and delivering immersive experiences using new technologies such as virtual reality.

We built the control panel that operates the reactor, then developed the entire experience using HTC VIVE PRO headsets and Backpacks. That was in 2018. On the software side, we integrated the RKE neutronics server and CEA’s X2 physics engine.

EVOC is a platform developed following the shutdown of the ISIS research reactor. ISIS was a reactor used for training as well as neutron studies at CEA. Following its shutdown, we wanted to continue training engineers. This led to the development of the EVOC Nuclear Experience digital platform.

Virtual reality offers two advantages: First, it actively involves both the trainer and the learner in the training process. Currently, learners are mostly in a classroom setting, either with an expert or in front of a screen. At no point are they fully engaged in their training. A platform like EVOC, combined with virtual reality, immerses the learner in an active role, resulting in a much greater impact.

We realised that users needed greater freedom of movement, and that using backpacks and cables could be a constraint. We also simplified the interface so that users always have a clear overview of the system’s status.

HTC was the obvious choice as it was the only complete solution that provided a fully integrated ecosystem, allowing us to manage headset calibration and administration efficiently. Former operators and managers now find themselves in a setting very similar to the real ISIS reactor. For learners, it is a completely different experience from traditional classroom training. Instead of a lecture-based setting, they engage with simulators and become fully immersed in the virtual environment.

If you'd like to learn more about our combined solutions, please don't hesitate to contact us.