Unlocking The Potential of XR, VR and the Metaverse

Imagine a workforce empowered by Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (XR), Virtual Reality (VR) Digital Twins, and IoT technologies, working seamlessly together across various industries. As the Industry 4.0 revolution continues, immersive technologies in the realm of Connected Worker emerge as a cost-effective and efficient alternative for training, collaboration, and more, enhancing employee capabilities along the way. 

However, to effectively leverage and capitalize on available technologies, companies must learn to adapt and improve. With the potential widely untapped and the advantages paramount, industries still have a long way to go before they can successfully implement immersive technologies within their processes and operations.  

Standing at the helm of this revolution as a pioneering association is the Virtual Dimension Centre (VDC). Established in 2002 as a network and technology broker for virtual reality technologies (VR), visual simulation and cooperative engineering, the VDC helps organizations realize the potential of Connected Worker technologies. 

To shed light on VDC's current endeavours we spoke with Christoph Runde, Managing Director, Virtual Dimension Center (VDC), Fellbach, delving into advanced technology integration and the challenges that come with. Read as Christoph emphasizes the importance of connection, drawing parallels with the Metaverse, and highlights the potential of massive multiplayer online games as a blueprint for professional use.

Maryam Irfan, IQPC: Can you provide an overview of the Virtual Dimension Centre (VDC) and its role in advancing Connected Worker technologies and processes?

Christoph Runde, VDC: The VDC is a network association dedicated to extended reality (XR) and variable computing, with a significant number of companies participating. These companies are either involved in the development or utilization of XR technologies for various purposes, including shop floor application. This also encompasses everything related to professional applications of extended reality, such as system solutions for quality assurance. This is where we come together on the topic of extended reality and the Connected Worker.

We do so by producing publications, with our most recent work focusing on positioning, localization, and tracking technologies. These technologies are particularly relevant when it comes to displaying information, such as smart glasses, or on the shop floor. Our understanding and comparison of these technologies is what we publish to benefit companies wanting to effectively leverage XR.

Additionally, we organize various events, including workshops and technology transfer presentations, to bring together industry professionals. We facilitate a kind of matchmaking, connecting individuals and companies seeking specific competencies with the right contacts. 

One of our working groups that focuses on smart glasses, attracts major players in manufacturing. These companies share common interests in optimizing the use of smart glasses and in seeking the best hardware and software solutions. So, we serve as a platform for them to collaborate, inviting technology providers to present their solutions, and facilitating that exchange.

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Furthermore, we also offer advice to venture capital firms interested in investing in smart worker solutions. Drawing from our knowledge of the market and technologies, we help these firms in making informed decisions. We've also had the opportunity to work with the World Economic Forum in Davos, participating in various working groups related to variable computing and the Connected Worker, giving us the opportunity to exchange information with bright-minded individuals. 
When it comes to the industries we work with, it would mostly be automotive and manufacturing. Our location in the Stuttgart area positions us within the heart of the automotive industry, with companies like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Bosch. 

Maryam Irfan, IQPC: How do  VR, AR and IoT intersect in the realm of Connected Worker solutions? And can you share some use cases where these technologies have been integrated effectively?

Christoph Runde, VDC: Connection is one of the essential pillars of the Metaverse, something we should absolutely keep an eye on. We could, perhaps, learn from massive multiplayer online games and their platforms, and maybe even use them for professional purposes, as we've been doing for many years.

When talking about game engines that are widely used, for example, to support product presentations and available computing, I'm also referring to technologies like smart glasses, smart gloves with integrated sensors or smartwatches currently available on the market. 

Additionally, there are also projection systems that can be used on the shop floor level to assist workers. A good example of AR on the shop floor (using tablet PCs) this is one of the companies in our network recently implementing this solution for quality checks using augmented reality. Their customer produces casting parts and delivers them to the end customer, where they need to be checked for quality, ensuring everything is as it should be, including welding junctions and hole positions. This can be easily checked using augmented reality, specifically tablet and PC-based augmented reality.

Maryam Irfan, IQPC: How can organisations leverage AR and VR to enhance the capabilities of their employees, especially in industries with complex processes or high safety standards?

Christoph Runde, VDC: Extended reality encompasses virtual reality and augmented reality, and can be utilized for several generic applications, including training, product development, building early prototypes, and marketing communications. Augmented reality, in particular, can be used for quality assurance and digital assistance solutions, within more complex environments.

The more expensive, dangerous, or distant your real environment is, the more advantageous it is to employ extended reality. For example, in training scenarios where using equipment can be impractical or costly, like training for oil drilling platforms or large airplanes, extended reality offers an inexpensive digital alternative.

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Extended reality also excels as a means of collaboration, both locally and remotely, whether it is in front of a huge projection system like a power wall or a cave automatic virtual environment, or connecting teams distributed across the globe. For training, distributed product development, or any other purpose, we can leverage extended reality platforms similar to those used in gaming, where thousands of players can enjoy an immersive experience, at the same time, in the same environment.

When we talk about applications like early prototypes or training, security aspects are quite important. One of the most crucial aspects for companies is safeguarding early product development data as no one wants their early design studies leaked to the public or unauthorized individuals. Hence, the demands for security are exceptionally high and it is critical for professional solutions to meet these standards.

Additionally, when we discuss training, especially when it involves aspects related to worker safety, exceptional evaluation is essential to ensure that virtual training works and fulfils high standards. When considering the safety of XR devices themselves, especially with the introduction of new devices like Apple's upcoming virtual reality headset in 2024, which incorporates pass-through systems with external cameras and in transparent screens inside the headset, there could be safety concerns. Issues such as power loss or battery failure could potentially blind the user, raising questions about workplace safety when using such devices, particularly in hazardous shop floor environments.

Maryam Irfan, IQPC: What challenges do organizations typically face when implementing AR, VR, IoT, and digital twin solutions, and how can organisations overcome these challenges?

Christoph Runde, VDC: In my experience, the biggest challenges aren't necessarily technological; I believe technology can eventually be made to work with effort. The much bigger challenge is processes. When using XR, you essentially have to redesign your processes because XR fundamentally redefines how work is done. Whether it's for training, product development, or assistance, the old processes that worked before need to be rethought. For this, you may also require new staff or develop new competencies to run those processes. 

As an example, companies might have traditional product development processes involving physical models like clay models, running in parallel with digital product development. However, if you don't make a conscious effort to replace certain traditional steps or ways of working with new digital ones, you end up increasing costs without the benefits desired from virtual and augmented reality. I've seen this happen several times before, where companies make significant investments in XR but eventually have to halt the initiatives due to a lack of a comprehensive process redesign.

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The second challenge is related to the human mindset. You have to motivate people because redesigning processes means a shift in responsibilities and activities. Not everyone may be enthusiastic about these changes, as some individuals may lose power and influence in the process. People often find it more comfortable to stay in their current roles and not venture out of their comfort zones and learn new things.

If you really want to implement XR within an enterprise, effort from both the shop floor and top management is required. Advocate the initiative from a management perspective and bring the topic to the individual end-users to motivate them and provide guidance on how to adapt. 

Maryam Irfan, IQPC: Is there anything that you're currently working on at VDC that is particularly exciting in the field of Connected Workers and immersive technologies?

Christoph Runde, VDC: The big topic we've been discussing for the past year and a half is the Metaverse, with all its promises and barriers. We've conducted analyses and numerous interviews with companies and research labs regarding the Metaverse, exploring both its potential and the challenges it presents, and the responses have been quite interesting. Some companies acknowledge that they have been working with something akin to the Metaverse. For them, it's not an entirely new concept. 
What we've observed is that many of the technologies needed for the Metaverse are already available, but the significant challenge lies in integrating them into one functioning system. This is an enormous task, but the promises associated are equally huge. 

I can envision scenarios where large companies, such as automotive manufacturers, create digital twins of their factories within the Metaverse. They could then grant access to their factory Metaverse to machinery suppliers, service engineers, and others, allowing them to digitally optimize production and manufacturing processes. So, the vision of what we aim to achieve is clear, but it will undoubtedly be a challenge.

From an industrial point of view, it will take a considerable amount of time because of the need to integrate various elements such as product development, manufacturing execution systems, and real-time synchronization with automation systems. It's a monumental task, but it's not a question of whether it will happen; it's a matter of when. 

Our expectations regarding the Metaverse are quite diverse. Some believe it's merely relevant for gaming, while others see it as a significant promise. I tend to lean toward the latter view, but I acknowledge that it will take time to fully realize its potential!

Maryam Irfan, IQPC: What are you most looking forward to at this year's Connected Worker Summit?

Christoph Runde, VDC: For me, it's certainly interesting to engage with bright individuals, gain new insights, and discover practical solutions in industrial applications that demonstrate the real potential of XR. It's crucial to show that these technologies are not just concepts for the future; they are here and now. In my opinion, it's the right time to act and move forward. 

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Interested in learning more about this topic?

Christoph Runde, Managing Director, Virtual Dimension Center (VDC) at Fellbach, will be presenting his approach at The Connected Worker, Europe Summit this December. If you want to understand how to better connect your workforce to the digital resources they need to work more effectively and increase productivity across your manufacturing operations, then our Connected Worker Europe Summit is your must attend event of 2023.

Join over 150 of your peers in Munich to discuss What’s Next for Connected Worker in the Manufacturing 4.0 Operating Environment and learn to develop a holistic ecosystem of connected people, connected processes, connected technologies, and connected data. Download the agenda for more information.