In the VR/AR Bytes Podcast, Orlando Chapter President and VRARA COO John Cunningham provides short interviews with the movers and shakers in the VRARA industry who share their insights into how VR & AR is impacting their businesses.
This week, John sat down with three of the authors of the recent VRARA Enterprise Committee Whitepaper titled "The Power of Immersion Issue 2 - Transforming Manufacturing with XR".
This publication was produced by our Enterprise Committee.
Authors & Contributors
Emma Valdes
Damon Shackelford
Ron Thompson
Mark Gröb
Lucky Gobindram
This white paper is broken into the following parts:
Executive Overview
Headwinds Across Manufacturing
Introduction to Leadership in Innovation
Solving the Headwinds
Using XR for Enterprise Training
XR Impact on Manufacturing Training
VR vs. AR/MR Scenarios
Company profile: ExxonMobil
XR and the Unionized Workforce
Practical Steps
Appendices
Popular Providers for XR
Author Biographies , Reference, and Disclaimers
Executive Abstract: XR Strategic Advantage
This paper explores how immersive technologies are transforming the manufacturing industry by addressing common challenges and enhancing training, efficiency, and safety.
Introduction to XR in Manufacturing: The adoption of XR technologies is helping manufacturers address challenges such as an aging workforce and the need for upskilling, offering solutions previously unattainable.
Organizational Ecosystem Spheres: The paper outlines various spheres within an organization’s ecosystem, such as emerging landscapes, change management, solutions, workforce, and use cases, each playing a role in the successful implementation of XR solutions.
Common Challenges in Manufacturing: Challenges include an aging workforce, negative perceptions of manufacturing, the need for constant reskilling, and the speed of adopting new processes.
XR Solutions and Benefits: XR solutions offer benefits such as enhanced training, real-time expert access, reduced travel, and safer, more consistent environments, as demonstrated by companies like Nestle Purina PetCare.
Practical Steps for Implementation: Recommendations include identifying potential XR use cases, ranking jobs and skills for training, and designing training close to production scenarios while collecting data to evaluate success.
Impact of XR on Training: XR enhances training by providing immersive, repeatable environments that improve knowledge retention, attention, and performance, with studies showing significant benefits over traditional methods.
Unionized Workforce Considerations: Implementing XR in unionized environments requires understanding the specific culture, involving union leadership, and respecting union structures and schedules
20+ executives joined our meeting with Volvo's Head of XR during our weekly online sessions.
The meeting began an overview of Johan’s role and the company's integration of XR and 3D technologies. He discussed challenges in generating lightweight 3D models for various applications, particularly managing around 7,000 product variants, and highlighted the effective use of XR for technician training despite concerns about device accessibility and communication awkwardness. Johan also addressed enterprise training deployment challenges, including network isolation and security issues, emphasizing the need for robust IT infrastructure. The conversation shifted to the role of model-based systems engineering in XR/VR deployment, with discussions on data management challenges and the formation of the Applied AI Association. Participants noted the increasing presence of note takers and AI in meetings, and concerns were raised about siloed digital assets and the lack of integration in manufacturing processes. The meeting concluded with suggestions for further collaboration.
This publication has been created by our Enterprise Committee.
XR visualization technologies providing innovative solutions for business and manufacturing processes when coupled with AI (Artificial Intelligence) for measurable ROI.
Visualization with XR Delivers Impressive Metrics
XR visualization technology applied to immersive training by retail giant Walmart calculates an inferred annual savings of over $38M by reducing training time and travel costs. Walmart also reported consolidated revenue of $611M in 2023. If implementation of the training program was less than $1.5M then ROI would be at least 96%. Turn to the worksheet and study guide to see how to calculate savings for ROI.
XR Use Cases and Examples
XR technology can be applied to various industries, sectors, and scenarios, such as automotive, energy, ESG, virtual offices, immersive training, retail, and corporate marketing. Some examples of XR applications include VR engineering or product design studios, AR safety apps, digital twin systems for manufacturing, virtual flagship automotive dealerships, virtual deescalation training or other soft skills training, and AR retail and fashion experiences.
Top highlights:
8 out of 10 FORTUNE Global top 5 largest companies by consolidated revenue for FY 2022 & 2023 invested in XR.
75% across the board Fortune 500 reported 2023 committed to XR initiative(s).
Download our publicaiton to learn more!
Watch the video recordings from our Enterprise Summit 2024: Best in XR, Digital Twin, AI here
Originally Published by Demund Cureton
Learning about how to implement digital twins can pose significant challenges for firms, however, there are even greater rewards when executed correctly, a panel of experts and executives said the VRARA Enterprise Summit’s Best in XR, Digital Twin, and AI event on Wednesday.
However, decision makers in the implementation and rollout of digital twin solutions must leverage the fast-growing emerging technology with care and purpose, according to the panel talks.
In a panel discussion, the following experts and executives offered their expertise in digital twins:
Kevin O Donovan, Co-Chair, Industrial Metaverse and Digital Twin Committee, VRARA
Peter Terwilliger, Director, Technical Sales, Dassault Systèmes
Dr Stefan Krug, Head of Digital Consistency, Siemens AG
Speaking on the subject of digital twins, many across industry verticals had many different perceptions of what they were, O’Donovan explained.
Kevin O Donovan, Co-Chair, Industrial Metaverse and Digital Twin Committee, VRARA
Referencing prior conversations, he continued that XR leaders in digital twins were growing the number of maturity models, adding firms like Siemens and Dassault Systèmes had built a massive numbers of use cases demonstrating “the art of the possible,” he explained.
Kevin O Donovan, Co-Chair, Industrial Metaverse and Digital Twin Committee, VRARA
Referencing prior conversations, he continued that XR leaders in digital twins were growing the number of maturity models, adding firms like Siemens and Dassault Systèmes had built a massive numbers of use cases demonstrating “the art of the possible,” he explained.
When asked by O’ Donovan about the significance of this statement, Terwilliger stated that digital twins were taking data from the real world to create a “feedback loop” that could improve current and future models.
He explained further,
“It’s being benchmarked against real-world data, but if it’s solar [power] systems, we take it to the next step and link the component to others, creating a process in a system. That system exists in an environment and its affected the the one it’s in. Add analysis and simulation [so that you can] then put in on the cloud, where its accessible to everyone.”
Terwilliger continued, stating that they allowed people to “understand the past, what the system had been engineered to do, and why.”
He added that it also showed how many people had done the engineering basis, design, and recreation [process] in their careers to understand “what’s happening now, how it’s actually behaving and working.”
Using the insights, people could “then navigate and predict the possibilities of an untested future.”
However, for simulating experiences virtually, digital twins were the “art of the possible, today.”
Using these virtual tools, companies and people could test and optimise new products, determine how to manufacture them, implement countermeasures against delays, as well as optimise, plan, and execute product life cycles.
He added,
You know, when I was in the industry [and] we wanted to change our assembly line — say we were in automotive and we had a bigger car — we used to make plywood mock-ups and we would take those mock-ups and we would walk around with those and walk them down the line, right? I mean… think about the time waste due to the lines being shut down while the people are working on mock-ups. It delayed us up to a month in our go-to-market strategy. So, you know, we don’t need to do that anymore, that’s what’s possible today.
Dr Stefan Krug, Head of Digital Consistency, Siemens AG
Adding to the discussion, Dr Krug stated that what his company could do with digital twins was “amazing.”
Dr Stefan Krug, Head of Digital Consistency, Siemens AG
He then cited an example of a project done in [Nanjing], China, where he was the project manager. Using Siemens digital twin technologies, the company developed a greenfield factory in virtual space.
The digital twin could simulate all operations performed on-site, including product manufacturing, develoopment, value streams, material flows, and construction, he continued.
“We could be very, very sure that once we started construction, everything would be correct in the first [run],” he said.
To Dr Krug, the “art of the possible” was that people no longer needed to test things through trial and error in the real world, “which is tremendously expensive.” Instead, companies could do everything virtually, he stated, adding that one of his most profound experiences was walking through the factory that had not been physically built.
Continuing, he stated,
When I was at the construction site and see [everything], I told people that, ‘Hey, this pipe needs to go one metre to the left,’ because I became aware of the details of the site, the building, and how it should appear.”
He added: “You can really avoid mistakes in the early phases as they don’t cost anything to make in the virtual world.”
Regarding the challenges companies faced in the implementation of emerging technologies, Terwilliger told the audience that, despite technologists communicating the capabilities of such solutions, small and medium business owners wondered “how to make them actionable.”
“How do we approach this and break it down into steps? We don’t want to just convert to a new technologies that simply ‘promises’ to be amazing,” he said, citing an example from a discussion with a small manufacturing company experiencing massive growth over the last seven years.
He recalled the small business had approached Dassault and wanted to learn more about the technology to use at its on-site workstations, which involved “cutting up lengths of [40-50 feet long] I-beams coming off the truck.”
Peter Terwilliger, Director, Technical Sales, Dassault Systèmes
Moving the beams into the workstation caused major issues like disruptions due to their size. To resolve the matter, Dassault leveraged their digital twin and cloud solutions to optimise the business, without large IT infrastructure and other requirements to support the business.
Peter Terwilliger, Director, Technical Sales, Dassault Systèmes
He concluded: “The point is that they found something that optimised their manufacturing floor, which was their biggest challenge. Don’t think about it as a ‘great big giant pill of technology’ that you have to swallow.”
When asked about a specific call to action for global industries leveraging digital twins, Dr Krug explained that although opportunities can feel like being “a kid in a big toy store,” clients should not become overwhelmed.
He instead urged enterprises to concentrate on “where your greatest possibilities and biggest pain points are, focus on them, and select the right technologies to get started.”
He noted,
“They help to avoid mistakes, which you can correct [virtually], so just get started […] No incremental change is too small, and you want to find a solution that grows with you, breaks into baby steps, and that’s accessible by the cloud, everywhere, especially that dark place called the factory floor.”
He added that from the cloud, solutions should organise, visualise, and simulate feedback, allow its users to know that real-world data, and be collaborative and inclusive.
Expert users were already building “amazing” models with complex software, but consumers also needed to use the data to source the right materials, convert it via the programme, and learn project schedules.
“Ultimately, you want to figure out how to manufacture them on the factory floor, include people like me, who use the tool on-screen to markup designs,” he concluded.
The VRARA Best in XR, Digital Twins, and AI event took place on 24 July and showcased some of the biggest brands in digital solutions.
Hosted by the VRARA’s Kris Kolo, the event saw companies like Lenovo, Siemens, Unity, Merck, ShapesXR, Oberon Technologies, Amazon Web Services, Dassault Systèmes, Duke Energy, and many others share their success stories in XR.
The hosting organisation serves as a platform for many of the world’s biggest firms in virtual, augmented, mixed, and extended reality(VR/ AR/ MR/ XR), and operates from global chapters with a mission to support and boost the XR industry.
Watch the video recordings from our Enterprise Summit 2024: Best in XR, Digital Twin, AI here
Originally Published by Demond Cureton
Extended reality (XR) technologies continue to permeate conversations on the utility of spatial computing solutions.
Across a host of industry verticals, enterprises are reigning in the hype about the Metaverse as business face the sobering shift to pragmatic, utilitarian approaches to XR.
Two experts in the field of XR voiced their opinions on the rising trends shaping the industry to date, using their culmulative experience and observations of real-world use cases of the virtual one via digital twins.
The fireside chat included the following extended reality (XR) experts:
Amy Peck, Chief Executive, EndeavorXR
Damon Shackelford, Co-Chair, VRARA Enterprise Committee and Employee, Eastman Chemical Company
Regarding the developing trends in XR, Peck urged the audience to differentiate between viable ones and hype cycles, citing the Metaverse.
To her, the current hype cycle had allowed Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ‘supplant’ the Metaverse in the news and media. However, regarding spatial computing solutions, she noted that businesses were returning to rationally assessing their capabilities across their workflows.
Explaining her stance, she said,
I think it’s nice that we can actually get back to what the technology does really well today, [especially] while we are planning how to implement [them] in the future as their capabilities expand.
The two then explored two of the most important trends taking shape in the virtual, augmented, mixed, and extended reality (VR/ AR/ MR/ XR) industry to date, which would take centre stage over the next few years.
According to Peck, digital twins were a prime example of trending XR technologies, namely after piquing in her consultations with clients such as Booz Allen Hamilton.
Amy Peck, Chief Executive, EndeavorXR
She noted that the defence firm had announced a partnership with Unity Technologies a year and a half ago, leading to easier deployments of digital twin solutions.
Amy Peck, Chief Executive, EndeavorXR
Booze Allen Hamilton’s partnership states that digital twins “interweave multiple data streams to create unbroken, and living, threads of insight that improve mission outcomes.”
Peck added that digital twins were “foundational” and are being utilised on the NVIDIA Omniverse, deployed across BMW’s advanced manufacturing platforms, and leveraged by tech giants such as Ericsson and Siemens.
Highlighting the need for secure deployments across all forms of immersive technologies, Peck explained to Shackelford that there were opportunities to build digital assets once and then “add multiple data streams to construct […] layers of visualisation.”
However, this provided challenges to the technology stacks involved in their deployment, which required a multiple approach to cybersecurity.
She told audiences:
Damon Shackelford, Co-Chair, VRARA Enterprise Committee
Managing all of that data is part of the challenge in deploying this in highly-secure environments. But then, when you add the XR layer of a headset, or you need it to be web-based, on mobile, or [otherwise], you can have that elevated headset experience, but each platform adds layers of challenges in their deployment.”
Training
When asked by Shackelford about the potential for XR to increase return on investment (ROI) in training, Peck explained that most clients focussed on VR training whilst she was launching EndeavorXR in 2014.
She stated that XR training was the “easy first step” for enterprise users, adding, “We can do the math on [its] efficacy and how quicly you can get people out into the field.”
Furthermore, she included that, for mixed reality (MR) devices, “see-what-I-see” (SWIS) and passthrough technologies were “still [some of] the simplest solutions.”
SWIS capabilities allow remote observers to view what a person using an immersive device is doing as they interact with content or livestream their operations.
Conversely, passthrough provides digital overlays to an MR device users physical environment to seamlessly merge the two environments.
Damon Shackelford, Co-Chair, VRARA Enterprise Committee
Shackelford replied that XR training’s readily-available calculations facilitated budgetary justifications among decision makers.
Peck added that a key factor when consultants work with clients was that they needed to remain careful when scaling up technological deployments across business units, even “with one use case.”
She said: “You know, we used to be in a kind of proof-of-concept (PoC) joil, but now we’re in a sort of pilot jail, so that’s a small improvement.”
Despite this, companies were not deploying “tens of thousands of headsets for the most part,” but rather a few hundred for specific training needs, Peck continued.
Workforce Engagement
Finally, when asked about workplace engagement using digital twin training and mixed reality solutions, Peck explained that there were two major “hurdles” to their adoption.
The first was deploying solutions among existing information technology (IT) infrastructure, and secondly, understanding the intended goals to accomplish with the XR training solution in company workflows.
She said,
“We call it planned prevention for a reason. The second is often overlooked and is really understanding not just who your user is, but what you need to accomplish and what their workflow is.”
The fireside chat took place at the VRARA Best in XR, Digital Twins, and AI event last week, bringing with it a host of use cases and panel discussions on the future of spatial computing and emerging technologies.
Numerous companies like Siemens, Unity, EndeavorXR, Duke Energy, Dassault Systems, Amazon Web Services, Unity, and Merck, among many others, showcased some of their most premier examples of XR deployments across businesses and clients.
The VR/AR Association’s Kris Kolo hosted the single-day event to place XR milestones in the spotlight of industries worldwide.
Watch the video recordings from our Best in XR, Digital Twin, and AI (VRARA Enterprise Summit 2024) from July 24 here.
Our event had 2500+ attendees and 100s watched the recordings. LinkedIn has 1 Billion users and 57M orgs are listed on LinkedIn, and our event helped elevate our speakers’ brand and get them established as an authority in the industry.
Speakers included:
Jack Strongitharm, Unity
Unity Cloud - Data Streaming to VR:
With projects and CAD/BIM models getting more detailed and complex, we then try to push all this to one built application, but it is not generally possible without manual intervention. Learn how you can use the Unity Cloud and the Asset Manager to overcome this limitation of delivering 3D Data Streaming via 3D tiles of any CAD or Meshed models.
Damon Shackelford, Eastman Chemical Co. Plus, Amy Peck (Panel)
Enterprise XR Trend Spotting:Top 5 XR technology trends
Ashish Kulkarni, Bell Immersive Technology Solutions
XR + AI for organizations that are BUILT-TO-LAST:
Get an insight into successful implementation of XR + AI in Large Organizations (10K+ employees). Know about XR + AI solutions in the Energy, Aviation, Ports, Healthcare and Defence Sectors. Learn about design XR + AI solutions to increase revenue, improve project schedule, enhance workforce skills, improve safety, and build crisis and emergency readiness.
Kevin O'Donovan with others from Siemens & Dassault Systems (Panel)
Digital Twin's - From the ‘art of the possible’ to today's Industrial reality
Industry experts will explore how Digital Twin tech is reshaping how we design, built, operate and maintain Industrial facilities, breaking down the silo’s within organizations, democratizing access to data, providing for a wide range of immersive experiences, while enabling all sorts of ‘what if’ scenario planning via simulation. And all at a scale we have never seen before.
Vi Kellersohn, Oberon Technologies
Leveraging VR to Enhance Workforce Training in Nuclear Facilities:
See how industry leaders are using immersive virtual experience to safely onboard and train workers. Hear how they are using the latest tools including Apple Vision Pro, HTC, Meta, 3DI and more. Learn about the innovative solutions to keep workers safe and more proficient in the field.
Cindy Mallory, ATS. Plus, others from Amazon AWS, Duke Energy (Panel)
Frontier Technologies - The New Enterprise Paradigm:
We will explore how advanced tools and systems create highly engaging and interactive experiences that blend possibilities across the physical and digital. Learn how these emerging tech are being developed, deployed, and scaled for enterprise use, and discover their transformative potential across various sectors by providing new ways to visualize, interact with, and manipulate info.
Mark Gröb, UPS
Strategies for Immersive Tech Adoption in your Large Corporate Entity:
Blunt, common-sense strategies for Large Enterprise looking to deploy / integrate XR for their Business. From common use-cases that are "no brainers", to how should you view risks in adopting this new "force multiplier" tech.
Leslie Shannon, Nokia
XR + AI = Your New Enterprise Superpower:
XR, Digital Twins, and AI have each already proved their individual worth in Enterprise settings – so what do you get when you combine them? Join Nokia’s Head of Trend and Innovation Scouting for a look at the deep insights we’ll be able to access in the very near future.
Jason McGuigan, Lenovo
XR gets personal:
XR is growing, and we’re seeing incredible new ways for the tech to work for you and with you. The introduction of accessible GAI has opened new routes for XR to be tailored for your own personal strengths and weaknesses. On this path, GAI will entirely reshape what ‘software’ means. Jason will share his perspective on how we’re going to get there and how in the very near future, every XR user will have dynamic, unique, and highly personal experiences.
Sofía Fracaro, Merck
VR Training in the Chemical Industry — a deep dive into Employee Impact:
As VR takes center stage in the domain of industrial training methodologies, stakeholders and decision makers are increasingly asking: Is it well-received by employees? Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Merck and the CHARMING project joined forces to undertake an in-depth exploration. Uncover valuable insights about acceptance of VR training.
Jeremy Joseph, Bluedrop. Plus, others (Panel)
Digital Twins and XR in Aerospace - What are they and how do you use them:
We will dive into what an acceptable definition of Digital Twin is and how Digital Twins and XR can be used effectively in Aerospace. Common misconceptions, approached, and challenges.
Patrice Anderson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Elite Enterprise Technology Inc
Bridging Realities: Innovation, Leadership, and Empowerment in Tech:
Patrice will share her remarkable journey from a visionary entrepreneur to a pioneering leader in the tech industry. She will introduce Virtual Access, an innovative VR app that revolutionizes virtual meetings and social interactions, set to launch this fall.
Lucky Gobindram, CXR Agency. Plus, others from Boeing, Richemont Americas, ShapesXR (Panel)
XR - The Next Frontier in Enterprise Innovation:
Learn about the strategic implementation of XR in operations, training, and customer service, emphasizing the tech's role in enhancing decision-making, reducing errors, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Dan Cotting, Amazon AWS
Scaling Enterprise Spatial Experiences in the Cloud:
Spatial experiences often rely on significant amounts of complex and large 3D data sets. Unfortunately, many enterprise IT organizations are not well-equipped to manage and distribute this data at scale, which limits overall business value. This session will explore how to incorporate a spatial data plane strategy into your organization and use cloud services to scale.
Jennifer Fields, UL
An overview of UL 8400, the industry standard for XR Tech Equipment:
A brief overview of UL 8400 (the industry standard for XR Tech Equipment) including the development, requirements, and updates including how to stay informed or become involved in the process.
Carolina Salazar. Plus, others (Panel)
VR Horizons - Advancing Human-Centric Technology:
Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of VR as we discuss how this tech is redefining the human experience and paving the way for a future centered around humanity.
Here's the program for our Best in XR, Digital Twin, and AI on July 24 with 30 speakers & sessions. Our event starts 11:30am EST.
Jack Strongitharm, Unity
Unity Cloud - Data Streaming to VR:
With projects and CAD/BIM models getting more detailed and complex, we then try to push all this to one built application, but it is not generally possible without manual intervention. Learn how you can use the Unity Cloud and the Asset Manager to overcome this limitation of delivering 3D Data Streaming via 3D tiles of any CAD or Meshed models.
Damon Shackelford, Eastman Chemical Co. Plus, Amy Peck (Panel)
Enterprise XR Trend Spotting:Top 5 XR technology trends
Ashish Kulkarni, Bell Immersive Technology Solutions
XR + AI for organizations that are BUILT-TO-LAST:
Get an insight into successful implementation of XR + AI in Large Organizations (10K+ employees). Know about XR + AI solutions in the Energy, Aviation, Ports, Healthcare and Defence Sectors. Learn about design XR + AI solutions to increase revenue, improve project schedule, enhance workforce skills, improve safety, and build crisis and emergency readiness.
Kevin O'Donovan with others from Siemens & Dassault Systems (Panel)
Digital Twin's - From the ‘art of the possible’ to today's Industrial reality
Industry experts will explore how Digital Twin tech is reshaping how we design, built, operate and maintain Industrial facilities, breaking down the silo’s within organizations, democratizing access to data, providing for a wide range of immersive experiences, while enabling all sorts of ‘what if’ scenario planning via simulation. And all at a scale we have never seen before.
Vi Kellersohn, Oberon Technologies
Leveraging VR to Enhance Workforce Training in Nuclear Facilities:
See how industry leaders are using immersive virtual experience to safely onboard and train workers. Hear how they are using the latest tools including Apple Vision Pro, HTC, Meta, 3DI and more. Learn about the innovative solutions to keep workers safe and more proficient in the field.
Cindy Mallory, ATS. Plus, others from Amazon AWS, Duke Energy (Panel)
Frontier Technologies - The New Enterprise Paradigm:
We will explore how advanced tools and systems create highly engaging and interactive experiences that blend possibilities across the physical and digital. Learn how these emerging tech are being developed, deployed, and scaled for enterprise use, and discover their transformative potential across various sectors by providing new ways to visualize, interact with, and manipulate info.
Mark Gröb, UPS
Strategies for Immersive Tech Adoption in your Large Corporate Entity:
Blunt, common-sense strategies for Large Enterprise looking to deploy / integrate XR for their Business. From common use-cases that are "no brainers", to how should you view risks in adopting this new "force multiplier" tech.
Leslie Shannon, Nokia
XR + AI = Your New Enterprise Superpower:
XR, Digital Twins, and AI have each already proved their individual worth in Enterprise settings – so what do you get when you combine them? Join Nokia’s Head of Trend and Innovation Scouting for a look at the deep insights we’ll be able to access in the very near future.
Jason McGuigan, Lenovo
XR gets personal:
XR is growing, and we’re seeing incredible new ways for the tech to work for you and with you. The introduction of accessible GAI has opened new routes for XR to be tailored for your own personal strengths and weaknesses. On this path, GAI will entirely reshape what ‘software’ means. Jason will share his perspective on how we’re going to get there and how in the very near future, every XR user will have dynamic, unique, and highly personal experiences.
Sofía Fracaro, Merck
VR Training in the Chemical Industry — a deep dive into Employee Impact:
As VR takes center stage in the domain of industrial training methodologies, stakeholders and decision makers are increasingly asking: Is it well-received by employees? Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Merck and the CHARMING project joined forces to undertake an in-depth exploration. Uncover valuable insights about acceptance of VR training.
Jeremy Joseph, Bluedrop. Plus, others (Panel)
Digital Twins and XR in Aerospace - What are they and how do you use them:
We will dive into what an acceptable definition of Digital Twin is and how Digital Twins and XR can be used effectively in Aerospace. Common misconceptions, approached, and challenges.
Patrice Anderson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Elite Enterprise Technology Inc
Bridging Realities: Innovation, Leadership, and Empowerment in Tech:
Patrice will share her remarkable journey from a visionary entrepreneur to a pioneering leader in the tech industry. She will introduce Virtual Access, an innovative VR app that revolutionizes virtual meetings and social interactions, set to launch this fall.
Lucky Gobindram, CXR Agency. Plus, others from Boeing, Richemont Americas, ShapesXR (Panel)
XR - The Next Frontier in Enterprise Innovation:
Learn about the strategic implementation of XR in operations, training, and customer service, emphasizing the tech's role in enhancing decision-making, reducing errors, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Dan Cotting, Amazon AWS
Scaling Enterprise Spatial Experiences in the Cloud:
Spatial experiences often rely on significant amounts of complex and large 3D data sets. Unfortunately, many enterprise IT organizations are not well-equipped to manage and distribute this data at scale, which limits overall business value. This session will explore how to incorporate a spatial data plane strategy into your organization and use cloud services to scale.
Jennifer Fields, UL
An overview of UL 8400, the industry standard for XR Tech Equipment:
A brief overview of UL 8400 (the industry standard for XR Tech Equipment) including the development, requirements, and updates including how to stay informed or become involved in the process.
Carolina Salazar. Plus, others (Panel)
VR Horizons - Advancing Human-Centric Technology:
Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of VR as we discuss how this tech is redefining the human experience and paving the way for a future centered around humanity.
Summary & Top Highlights
On July 24, learn about Unity Cloud - Data Streaming to VR from Jack Strongitharm of Unity during our Best in XR, Digital Twin, and AI.
With projects and CAD/BIM models getting more detailed and complex, we then try to push all this effectively in one built application, but this is not generally possible without manual intervention. With the release of the Unity Cloud and the Asset Manager, we can overcome this limitation delivering 3D Data Streaming via 3D tiles of any CAD or Meshed models. In this session, we will cover the essentials of what is now possible and do a live demo.
Jack serves as the Senior Solutions Engineer for the Industry sector at Unity. With a strong background in the industry, he brings valuable experience as a civil and site engineer to his current role. Prior to joining Unity, Jack held technical expertise positions at both Autodesk and Faro, where he honed his skills in cutting-edge technologies. In his current capacity at Unity, Jack plays a pivotal role in advancing Building Information Modeling (BIM) models and projects. His primary objective is to transform BIM into an interactive experience for Digital Twins, leveraging the formidable capabilities of Unity. Through his work, Jack contributes to the evolution of AEC practices, pushing the boundaries of technology and design to create immersive and innovative solutions.
About our event
Our VRARA Enterprise Summit 2024: Best in XR, Digital Twin, and AI is a virtual LinkedIn Live event with 30+ speakers and sessions. We expect 1000s of attendees.
During our weekly online sessions, we had the opportunity to talk with an executive from Merck.
The conversation centered around the benefits of using virtual reality (VR) training in the chemical industry, including reducing site ramp-up times and improving safety. Participants discussed the importance of change management and involving subject matter experts in the process, as well as the factors that influence the adoption of VR training, such as age and technology familiarity. The need to prove a strong return on investment and have concrete numbers to implement trainings focused on health, safety, and environment was also emphasized.
The meeting began with a discussion on XR applications, focusing on augmented reality and virtual reality in chemical operations. Challenges in implementing AR/VR solutions at Merck were highlighted, particularly regarding data privacy and cybersecurity. The importance of user involvement and change management in implementing solutions was emphasized. The meeting also covered the application of XR technology in training and operations, the impact of age on work adoption, and the necessity of real practice alongside virtual reality training. There was a decision to implement VR-based training for safety and a plan to present at our Enterprise Summit on July 24th.
We added more speakers and sessions for our Enterprise Summit 2024: Best in XR, Digital Twin, and AI on July 24, including GM, Merck, Boeing, UPS, Lenovo, Amazon AWS, Eastman Chemical Co and already have 1650+ people registered.
Ashish Kulkarni, CEO at Bell Immersive Technology Solutions (part of Bell Energy), will present: XR + AI for organizations that are BUILT-TO-LAST. Get an insight into successful implementation of XR + AI in Large Organizations (10K+ employees). Know about XR + AI solutions in the Energy, Aviation, Ports, Healthcare and Defence Sectors. Learn about design XR + AI solutions to increase revenue.
Ashish Kulkarni, specializes in helping enterprises design and implement innovative solutions that increases revenue growth, fosters sustainability, and strengthens organizational resilience. As an engineer and technology designer with a passion for driving product development, Ashish has successfully implemented enterprise-wide XR-AI solutions for large organizations in the Energy, Ports, Healthcare, and Governance sectors.
Bell Immersive Technology Solutions is a global tech company implementing transformative solutions in XR. With global experience through offices in USA, UK and UAE, they apply international best practices to their client solutions. Bell Immersive offers concept, design, implementation, and project management services for XR powered by AI. Products such as ALERTSim, AI Insights, Greenwave and Paradigm are used by organizations globally and help them build lasting organizations.
About our event
Our annual Enterprise Summit will be a virtual LinkedIn Live event. LinkedIn has 1 Billion users and more than 57M businesses are listed on LinkedIn, and our event will help elevate your brand and get you established as an authority in the industry. Our last virtual event on LinkedIn Live, Best of Europe was very successful with lots of engagement; we had 3200+ attendees and 30+ speakers. Plus, 100’s watched the recordings!
If you would like to speak at and or sponsor at event, please email kris@thevrara.com
Did you know 89% of corporate employees work in global virtual teams?
On July 24, join us for an inspiring and insightful session (Bridging Realities: Innovation, Leadership, and Empowerment in Tech) with Patrice Anderson, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Elite Enterprise Technology Inc. during our Enterprise Summit 2024: Best in XR, Digital Twin, and AI as she will introduce Virtual Access, an innovative VR app that revolutionizes virtual meetings and social interactions, set to launch this fall.
Patrice will also share her remarkable journey from a visionary entrepreneur to a pioneering leader in the tech industry. She will delve into her leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of resilience, vision, and community. She will discuss the impactful work of the JMA Foundation in Georgia, showcasing her dedication to philanthropy and giving back. As a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Patrice will highlight her efforts to empower women in tech, sharing her personal experiences and the significance of mentorship and support networks.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the future of virtual technology, the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, and the power of community engagement. Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired by Patrice’s story and her vision for a more connected and inclusive tech world!
About our event
Our annual Enterprise Summit will be a virtual LinkedIn Live event. We already have 1450+ people registered and 30+ speakers from Merck, Boeing, UPS, Lenovo, Amazon AWS, Eastman, others.
LinkedIn has 1 Billion users and more than 57M businesses are listed on LinkedIn, and our event will help elevate your brand and get you established as an authority in the industry. Our last virtual event on LinkedIn Live, Best of Europe was very successful with lots of engagement; we had 3200+ attendees and 30+ speakers. Plus, 100’s watched the recordings!
Our Enterprise Committee has produced this invaluable publication!
Make sure you join our annual Enterprise Summit: Best in XR, Digital Twin, AI
XR technology can be applied to various industries, sectors, and scenarios, such as automotive, energy, ESG, virtual offices, immersive training, retail, and corporate marketing. Some examples of XR applications include VR engineering or product design studios, AR safety apps, digital twin systems for manufacturing, virtual flagship automotive dealerships, virtual de-escalation training or other soft skills training, and AR retail and fashion experiences.
To provide a great user experience for the onboarding process with XR applications, it is essential to ensure user-centric design, interactivity, accessibility, technical performance, security and privacy, continuous learning improvement, and skill building. These considerations can help users effectively learn and interact with the XR environment, thus improving onboarding outcomes.
There are many companies that provide XR onboarding products and services, such as Microsoft, Unity, Immerse, VRdirect, many others. These companies aim to enable organizations to effectively integrate immersive technologies into their business and onboarding processes. Thus, they have each made significant capital investments towards that end.
XR onboarding metrics are indicators that measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction of the onboarding process for XR applications. Some of the metrics include completion rate, time to completion, drop-off points, user satisfaction, retention rate, error rate, standard engagement metrics, conversion rate, feedback analysis, performance metrics, behavioral changes, support requests, learning curve, post-onboarding performance, and contribution to improving outcomes. Each of these must have a well-developed baseline measurement for any meaningful data to be collected, resulting in an auditable Return on Investment (ROI) report generation.
Effective XR onboarding is essential for improving business processes and outcomes, as well as increasing user/new hire productivity, proficiency, satisfaction, and engagement, so the organization is better positioned to meaningfully improve internal operations, perform for customers, and advance other new business opportunities. For example, Bank of America reported 100% of learners performing intended on-the-job behavior after XR training, highlighting the effectiveness of immersive experiences.
Damon Shackelford hosted our online session with 20+ executives to learn from Duke Energy’s XR leader!
The conversation started with sharing backgrounds, focusing on experiences in the VR and utility space, with Jenny highlighting her background in nuclear energy and digital transformation. The discussion progressed to transitioning Duke Energy to an external profit center, developing virtual reality training for electrical operators, challenges in selling VR services, and exploring XR opportunities. Jenny expressed concerns about financial challenges, cybersecurity training, and lack of engagement, leading to plans for implementing design sprints for gamification. The team discussed implementing gamified simulation training, scenario planning, AI-powered characters in training, AR applications for customer delivery operations, and the implementation of a virtual training center metaverse. Jenny advocated for a centralized platform for all training materials within the metaverse. The meeting concluded after covering various topics related to VR training and XR opportunities at Duke Energy.
2. Transition to Profit Center
next steps involve finalizing contracts, legal processes, and sourcing documentation to secure funding for hiring a business development person to handle sales.
3. Development of Virtual Reality Training for Electrical Operators
The decision to develop virtual reality training to reduce safety risks, increase engagement, and improve qualification rates for electrical and gas technicians was made, leading to significant industry firsts.
Approval obtained to sell virtual crew products built with non-regulated dollars, with plans to leverage marketing budget for sales in 2022.
4. Challenges in Selling VR Training Services
reasons behind making the VR training service viable for sale, including successful qualifications, shareholder expectations, and the company's first experience with Software as a Sales.
Various challenges discussed include approval difficulties due to fairness concerns, misconceptions about VR as games, and overcoming naysayers through successful demonstrations and positive feedback.
5. Virtual Training Environment Development
process of creating a custom virtual training environment using a simulation tool similar to SimCity, where trainers can build and customize their own substations for training and qualification purposes.
6. XR Opportunities at Duke Energy
concerns about financial challenges, cybersecurity training effectiveness, and lack of engagement in training programs, leading to the decision to implement design sprints for gamification.
plans to teach her team about design sprints for gamification in cybersecurity training, aiming to enhance engagement and understanding among participants.
7. Implementation of Gamified Simulation Training
challenges of securing funding upfront for the gamified simulation training despite potential cost savings of $10 million. Damon Shackelford and Steven F also express concerns about the difficulty in obtaining budget based on projected savings.
8. Scenario Planning and Visualization
explore the use of AI and deep learning to enhance the gamified simulation training, potentially making it more immersive and engaging.
interest in using AI to create a better business case and agrees to give it a try.
importance of exploring new business strategies and technologies, encouraging a mindset shift towards innovation and risk-taking.
9. AI-powered Characters in Training
The team is actively working on implementing AI-powered characters for training scenarios, focusing on creating avatars with specific job roles, incorporating PPE, and developing a virtual training center with a metaverse for multiplayer interactions.
10. Augmented Reality (AR) Applications
The team has successfully implemented an AR application for customer delivery operations using iPads, streamlining the approval process and reducing rework, with plans to explore more AR and VR applications.
11. Implementation of Virtual Training Center Metaverse
personal opinion on having all training materials in one application within a virtual training center metaverse
We already have 1100+ people registered for our annual Enterprise Summit on XR, Digital Twin, and AI on July 24 and will have 30+ speakers from Boeing, UPS, Lenovo, Amazon AWS, Eastman, others. Below is our preliminary program:
Dan Cotting, Amazon AWS
Scaling Enterprise Spatial Experiences in the Cloud:
Spatial experiences often rely on significant amounts of complex and large 3D data sets. Unfortunately, many enterprise IT organizations are not well-equipped to manage and distribute this data at scale, which limits overall business value. This session will explore how to incorporate a spatial data plane strategy into your organization and use cloud services to scale in an extensible, secure, and resilient manner across business teams. Learn how cloud technologies can streamline 3D data creation and ingestion (3D reconstruction, photogrammetry, NeRFs, etc), 3D data management (spatial data lakes), and 3D applications (cloud rendering, AI/ML, etc.)
Mark Gröb, UPS
Strategies for Immersive Tech Adoption in your Large Corporate Entity:
Blunt, common-sense strategies for Large Enterprise looking to deploy / integrate XR for their Business. From common use-cases that are "no brainers", to how should you view risks in adopting this new "force multiplier" technology.
Cindy Mallory, ATS. Plus, Amazon, Morgan Stanley.
Frontier Technologies - The New Enterprise Paradigm:
We will explore how advanced tools and systems create highly engaging and interactive experiences that blend possibilities across the physical and digital. Learn how these emerging technologies are being developed, deployed, and scaled for enterprise use, and discover their transformative potential across various sectors by providing new ways to visualize, interact with, and manipulate information.
Lucky Gobindram, CXR Agency. Plus, Boeing, others.
XR - The Next Frontier in Enterprise Innovation:
Learn about the strategic implementation of XR in operations, training, and customer service, emphasizing the technology's role in enhancing decision-making, reducing errors, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Jeremy Joseph, Bluedrop. Plus, i3 and others.
Digital Twins and XR in Aerospace - What are they and how do you use them:
A panel diving into what an acceptable definition of Digital Twin is and how Digital Twins and XR can be used effectively in Aerospace. Common misconceptions, approached, and challenges.
Damon Shackelford, Eastman Chemical Company and Amy Peck
Enterprise XR Trend Spotting:
Top 5 XR technology trends
Vi Kellersohn, Oberon Technologies
Leveraging VR to Enhance Workforce Training in Nuclear Facilities:
*See how industry leaders are using immersive virtual experience to safely onboard and train workers.
*Hear how they are using the latest tools including Apple Vision Pro, HTC, Meta, 3DI and more.
*Learn about the innovative solutions to keep workers safe and more proficient in the field.
Carolina Salazar
VR Horizons - Advancing Human-Centric Technology:
Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of virtual reality as we discuss how this technology is redefining the human experience and paving the way for a future centered around humanity.
Leslie Shannon, Nokia
XR + AI = Your New Enterprise Superpower:
XR, Digital Twins, and AI have each already proved their individual worth in Enterprise settings – so what do you get when you combine them? Please join Nokia’s Head of Trend and Innovation Scouting for a look at the deep insights we’ll be able to access in the very near future, powered by the intersections of these disruptive technologies.
Kevin ODonovan panel:
Digital Twins - From the ‘art of the possible’ to today's Industrial realityJoin us for an engaging panel discussion delving into the evolution of Digital Twin technology, from the visionary ‘art of the possible’ to the reality when it comes to the deployment of Digital Twins in Industry today. Industry experts will explore how Digital Twin tech is reshaping how we design, built, operate and maintain Industrial facilities , breaking down the silo’s within organizations, democratizing access to data, providing for a wide range of immersive experiences, while enabling all sorts of ‘what if’ scenario planning via simulation. And all at a scale we have never seen before...
More added soon!
About our event
This will be a virtual LinkedIn Live event. LinkedIn has 1 Billion users and more than 57M businesses are listed on LinkedIn, and our event will help elevate your brand and get you established as an authority in the industry. Our last virtual event on LinkedIn Live, Best of Europe was very successful with lots of engagement; we had 3200+ attendees and 30+ speakers. Plus, 100’s watched the recordings!
If you would like to speak at and or sponsor at event, email kris@thevrara.com
Damon Shackelford and Cindy Mallory hosted our online session (and Mark, who joined our online session using his Apple Vision Pro and demonstrated the Apple avatar, which is getting better with AVP updates!)
The meeting began with a discussion on VR/AR marketing, where participants shared experiences and projects related to virtual reality and immersive technologies. The impact of buzzwords in marketing for XR and immersive tech was explored, with Mark suggesting their beneficial use despite potential confusion. Concerns were raised about the confusion surrounding emerging technologies like AI, XR, and metaverse in the workplace. The conversation also touched on extending reality and marketing buzzwords in the XR industry, emphasizing the importance of unique selling propositions. Challenges in procurement and support due to diverse technologies were highlighted, along with the need for industry efforts to drive immersive technologies adoption. The meeting concluded with plans to revisit and collaborate on the discussed topics in the future.
2. Impact of Buzzwords in Marketing for Virtual Reality and Immersive Technology
using buzzwords in marketing, even if confusing, can be beneficial for promoting technology. He humorously emphasized the importance of flashy terms and acknowledged the evolving nature of terminology in the tech industry.
importance of education and understanding in adopting emerging technologies like virtual reality, immersive tech, XR, and mixed reality. She questioned whether the use of buzzwords in marketing hinders or helps adoption at an enterprise scale.
rebranding to Spatial Computing and the introduction of new terms like 'volumetric apps.' He anticipated continuous changes in terminology and the emergence of more new words in the future.
3. Confusion around Emerging Technologies
The conversation highlights concerns about the confusion stemming from the coexistence of AI, XR, metaverse, and buzzwords in the workplace. Participants express challenges in understanding the implications and applications of these emerging technologies, leading to potential misinterpretations and difficulties in decision-making.
4. Discussion on Extending Reality and Marketing Buzzwords
concerns about the confusion caused by the proliferation of buzzwords in the XR industry, emphasizing the need to focus on extending reality and creating new experiences rather than getting caught up in marketing tactics.
importance of unique selling propositions in marketing, suggesting that fragmentation and differentiation in offerings may be beneficial in the short run but could hinder industry adoption in the long term.
significance of marketing strategies in establishing a brand, citing examples of successful companies like Apple and Google that excel in marketing by being unique, differentiating themselves, and creating appeal and value.
5. Challenges in Procurement and Support
challenges in procurement and support, mentioning the need to capture all keywords for internal shopping experiences, connecting knowledge base articles, and addressing confusion for end users due to the diverse technologies and teams involved.
6. Industry Effort for Immersive Technologies Adoption
industry umbrella for immersive technologies, emphasizing the convergence of technologies and the spotlight on AI, hinting at the need for a concerted effort over the next three to five years to drive mass adoption.
7. Challenges in Procurement Evaluation
concerns about the lack of understanding in procurement regarding the evaluation of equipment and software, highlighting the need for support and potential collaboration expansion.
We had a good online session hosted by Cindy Mallory with Morgan Stanley and Microsoft MVP and 30 executives.
The meeting focused on crafting inclusive futures through leadership, enterprise leadership, and open source ideals, with insights shared on the evolution of VR, AR, and immersive tech in the enterprise sector. Concerns were raised about challenges in implementing immersive tech in the enterprise finance sector due to industry conservatism and regulatory constraints. The influence of open source on immersive tech adoption and development, security and privacy concerns in enterprise settings, emerging trends in VR and AR for large companies, and the impact of spatial computing and immersive tech on traditional industries were also discussed. Leadership qualities for driving innovation in immersive tech, trends in immersive technologies, and the role of Asian philosophy in enterprise adaptability were highlighted, emphasizing the importance of practical involvement and strategic surprise announcements.
1. Discussion on Crafting Inclusive Futures through Leadership and Open Source Ideals
topic of crafting inclusive futures through leadership, enterprise leadership, and open source ideals.
evolution of VR, AR, and immersive tech within the enterprise sector, comparing it to the early stages of mobile phone technology.
2. Impact of Immersive Tech in Enterprise Finance Sector
challenges of implementing immersive tech in the enterprise finance sector due to the conservative nature of the industry, average age of participants, and regulatory constraints.
3. Influence of Open Source on Immersive Tech at Enterprise Scale
challenges faced by enterprise companies, especially in the financial sector, due to heavy regulations when adopting open source technologies for immersive tech.
4. Security and Privacy in Enterprise Settings for Immersive Technologies
challenges of security and privacy in enterprise settings for immersive technologies, emphasizing the importance of running everything locally on-premise to ensure security and privacy. Mention of avoiding cloud rendering solutions and focusing on vendors who can run in a local data center.
5. Emerging Trends in VR and AR for Large Companies
Discussion on the evolution of VR and AR technologies, including trends towards lighter devices, contact lens-based headsets, and retina modifications. Mention of challenges related to battery life in VR and AR devices.
Conversation about the importance of battery technology in VR and AR devices, with a mention of a startup pitching a solution for batteries that extend longevity.
6. Spatial Computing and Immersive Tech
technologies like VR, AR, and spatial computing are already transforming businesses, with examples of immersive experiences in shop windows and the potential for interactive digital environments.
evolution of design in technology, from mimicking the real world to neuromorphic design, and the future potential of spatial computing to offer unique experiences beyond reality.
insights from his experience at Morgan Stanley, emphasizing the importance of starting with small projects in VR and AR to build knowledge and experience within the enterprise.
7. Leadership Qualities for Driving Innovation in Immersive Tech
need for leaders in immersive tech to be brave, hands-on, and willing to engage with the technology, highlighting the importance of practical involvement in development and management.
8. Trends in Immersive Technologies and Open Source Communities
potential convergence of quantum technology with immersive tech, emphasizing the importance of advancements in quantum chips for smaller, energy-efficient devices. He also highlights the contributions of open source communities like MRTK and the Open Metaverse Foundation in standardizing technologies and addressing legal challenges.
9. Asian Philosophy in Enterprise
Asian philosophy Dokeshi no Michi, focusing on concealment, misdirection, and leveraging surprise for adaptability and agility in enterprises. He also mentions Apple's secrecy as part of their competitive strategy.
importance of being able to make surprise announcements like Apple does, as a special competitive advantage in strategy.
After our successful virtual event Best of Europe: XR, AI, Immersive Tech on LinkedIn Live (we had 3200+ attendees with 30+ speakers, plus 100’s more watched on X twitter, and Facebook!), we are doing our next virtual event, Enterprise Summit 2024 XR, Digital Twin, AI on LinkedIn Live.. REGISTER HERE!
LinkedIn has 1 Billion users and we expect 1000s to participate in our event! Plus, more than 57M businesses are listed on LinkedIn, and our event will help elevate your brand and get you established as an authority in the industry.
If you would like to sponsor and or speak at this event, please email kris@thevrara.com
See our previous Enterprise Summits:
