How Immersive Technology is Transforming Industries

There’s a shift happening in our discussions with customers about digital transformation. We're actively observing the unfolding of the Industrial Metaverse, propelled by foundational technologies like Digital Twin and IIoT, alongside simulation, automation, and AR/VR. These technologies are not future aspirations; they're present-day tools, forming the building blocks of the Industrial Metaverse today. In a recent Forrester study conducted by Paul Miller and Martha Bennett, we learned that an impressive 55% of business and technology professionals in production and manufacturing organizations are planning to adopt metaverse technologies within the next 12 months. So, what is the Industrial Metaverse? It's a place where engineers make quick decisions using accurate and robust data in a real and virtual space, collaborating, and interacting with a comprehensive digital twin. It allows us to visualize the digital twin in its real-world context, gain insights in a realistic environment, and collaborate in real-time to make immediate changes. Companies are now harmonizing data that was once fragmented across various applications, creating a unified "single pane of glass." This unified platform facilitates collaboration, interaction, and full immersion into a digital representation where real-world physics and data transform the digital experience into something incredibly lifelike. This empowers companies to connect their workforce, suppliers, and customers, forging a new path for future business endeavors. The journey has started. The Industrial Metaverse is taking the comprehensive digital twin to the next level – showing how operational data, plant information, geospatial insights, simulations, and 3D data can be combined to provide a genuine real-world perspective.

I'm thrilled to share the latest episode of Connected in 3D: Real-Time Solutions & Digital Twins! This week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Paul Davies, Technical Fellow of Immersive Technologies at Boeing. We dive deep into how Boeing is revolutionizing manufacturing with XR—from reducing defects by 80% on the 767 tanker wiring project to enabling first flights through AR innovation. 🎙️ Here are some key highlights: 1️⃣ How Boeing started exploring AR for high-value manufacturing use cases in satellites as early as 2006, even before headsets were practical. 2️⃣ The game-changing impact of AR on reducing production time and defects with real-world case studies from defense, commercial, and service sectors. 3️⃣ Insights into scaling AR and digital twin solutions across Boeing’s diverse programs while overcoming challenges like IT integration and hardware limitations. 4️⃣ The importance of being platform-agnostic and how Unity XR is helping Boeing future-proof their immersive applications. 💡 Paul also shares some amazing advice for manufacturers starting their journey with XR: “Start small, solve a well-known problem exceptionally, and scale from there. Prove the value and watch leadership embrace the tech organically.” This is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of XR and its tangible impact on global industries. 🌍 👉 Tune in now: https://lnkd.in/gm3gc2Bz https://lnkd.in/g-7Q64ki https://lnkd.in/g9EthpJr I’d love to hear your thoughts on how your organization is leveraging XR or exploring digital twins! Let’s discuss in the comments. #XR #DigitalTwins #Innovation #Manufacturing #Boeing #ConnectedIn3D #AR #SpatialComputing

Innovative tools like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are becoming essential in fields like engineering and design. These immersive technologies are not just enhancing the way we interact with digital environments; they're a step in the right direction to uplift traditional processes from simulation to prototyping. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐑 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐑 - Mechanical Engineering: VR allows engineers to virtually assemble parts, identify potential issues, and test functionalities before physical models are built. This capability to 'walk through' and interact with 3D designs is drastically reducing time and costs associated with prototyping. - Civil Engineering: With AR, civil engineers can visualize projects in their actual environments, plan logistics, and enhance accuracy in safety protocols before construction begins. This virtual foresight can prevent costly errors and streamline project timelines. - Automotive Engineering: Automotive professionals use immersive tech to simulate real-world driving experiences, test vehicle dynamics, and iterate design elements efficiently. This not only speeds up the development process but also significantly cuts down on manufacturing costs. - Electrical and Software Engineering: Immersive tech provides electrical and software engineers with tools to debug circuits in a virtual space, simulate software interactions, and facilitate remote collaboration, enhancing productivity across global teams. Tech use cases aside, VR and AR are bridging communication gaps within and across teams. These tools enable a shared visual context, making it easier for multidisciplinary teams to collaborate, align on project goals, and accelerate decision-making processes. 🤔 How do you see VR and AR continuing to influence your industry? Could immersive tech be the key to the next big leap in engineering and design? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups Video by MACE Virtual Labs

Transforming Engineering Education Through Immersive Technology & Sustainability We learn so much from the voice of students and future engineers. I recently had an inspiring conversation with Suavi Yildirim, whose team won the global Siemens Digital Industries Software-Sony Immersive Design Challenge. Our exchange revealed fascinating insights about the future of engineering education. (press release: https://lnkd.in/gbVJH4gX) We had an impressive response to the challenge. Students showed us how immersive design tools can broaden access to engineering. Through VR/XR technology, complex engineering concepts become more intuitive, breaking down learning barriers. This was perfectly demonstrated by the FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg Team NextCycle’s winning project, Battery Twin XR, which tackled EV battery lifecycle optimization. The team's ability to rapidly prototype and iterate in a virtual environment not only accelerated development but also led to better safety considerations and cost efficiencies. Suavi noted: “I think the immersive design tools have huge potential to democratize sustainable design education because they're very intuitive. So even students without CAD or VR experience can start exploring and understanding systems right away. This hands-on visual approach makes learning more engaging and accessible, especially in places where traditional tools or training might not be so common, so available. So, it's a great way to build confidence, creativity and a real understanding of sustainable design.” The success story here goes beyond the technology itself. It's about the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration - bringing together mechanical engineering, data analytics and software expertise. With guidance from industry mentors, the team learned to navigate real-world constraints while maintaining their innovative edge. This was a great example of blending academic theory with practical application. What's becoming increasingly clear is that the future of engineering education requires a delicate balance. While traditional degrees remain important, the rise of microcredentials and experiential learning are reshaping how we develop engineering talent. Industry-academia partnerships are no longer optional - they're essential for ensuring relevance in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The key lesson? Tomorrow's engineering leaders need both technical excellence and a sustainability mindset, supported by cutting-edge tools and collaborative learning environments. It's not just about what we teach, but how we teach it. Listen now and let me know your thoughts: https://lnkd.in/gZbqcVJV.

This is a deep exploration by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Leadership Council about how manufacturers can build on Smart Factory momentum to springboard into the "industrial metaverse". That's not to be confused with Mr. Zuckerburg and Facebook's Meta(verse)! So, what is the industrial metaverse and why could the time for it be now? (from the article) "While the industrial metaverse may sound like science fiction to some, the survey results from this study suggest that others view it as a potentially transformative yet prudent next step in their digital evolution. The industrial metaverse is the convergence of individual technologies that, when used in combination, can create an immersive three-dimensional virtual or virtual/physical industrial environment. As technology evolves, the industrial metaverse will likely allow access to these immersive 3D environments from any internet-connected device, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) devices, as well as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and equipment, from anywhere in the world. The manufacturing industry appears well-positioned for the adoption of the industrial metaverse. Given their continued focus on digital transformation and their journey toward the smart factory, the majority of companies surveyed have made significant investments and are already using the foundational technologies that power the industrial metaverse. Companies are generally either implementing technologies like data analytics, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and the Internet of Things technologies across multiple projects and processes, or they are currently experimenting with one-off projects. The same is true for digital twins, 3D modeling, and 3D scanning, which can all serve as building blocks for the immersive 3D environments of the industrial metaverse." I'm very interested in this topic and plan to write about it more in articles to come! 😎 #questionforgroup Are you applying smart factory techniques and Industry 4.0 in your company? Do you think the "industrial metaverse" concepts in this article are important? #cio #cto #ceo #manufacturing #smartfactory #factoryofthefuture #erp #ai #genai #vr #industry40 #digitaltwin #3Dprinting #iot #technology #deloitte #jeffwinterinsights ****************************************** ·      Follow #erpdoctors to stay current on ERP software, Industry 4.0, AI, smart manufacturing, and other cool tech trends ·      Ring the 🔔 for notifications!