In this article we will be looking at “11 Ways The Manufacturing Sector Can Utilize Extended Reality Effectively”, “What is Extended Reality” and lastly the different forms of extended reality.
What Is Extended Reality?
According to “Wikipedia” Extended reality is a catch-all to refer to augmented reality and virtual reality. Sometimes the acronym ‘XR’ is used in place. The fields of virtual reality and augmented reality are rapidly growing and being applied in a wide range of ways, entertainment, marketing, real estate, training, and remote work.
Extended reality (XR) is a universal term inclusive to immersive learning technologies virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).
Applications of Extended Reality:
- Entertainment and Gaming
- Healthcare
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- Food
- eCommerce and Retail
- Education
- Real Estate
- Workplace
- Travel and Tourism
- Defense
How Does Extended Reality Work?
Extended Reality uses advanced computer technology, graphics, and input systems that allow learners to co-exist and interact with physical and digital objects in real-time. With mixed reality, learners can direct their vision in 360° across an entire space and in every direction.
Is Metaverse Extended Reality?
The answer is yes. The metaverse adds extensive use of 3D graphics to this, allowing users to permanently access online content using extended reality (XR)5. XR technologies encompass a wide spectrum of immersive technologies, from augmented reality (AR) to mixed reality (MR) to virtual reality (VR).
Forms of Extended Reality
- Virtual Reality
- Augmented Reality
- Mixed Reality
What Is Virtual Reality?
The “Dictionary” defines Virtual Reality as the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors.
Virtual Reality is the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment which can be explored in 360 degrees.
Types of Virtual Reality
- Non-Immersive Simulations
- Semi-Immersive Simulations
- Fully-Immersive Simulations
Four Elements of Virtual Reality
- Virtual world
- Immersion
- Sensory feedback
- Interactivity
What Is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality (AR) is the integration of digital information with the user’s environment in real time. Unlike virtual reality (VR), which creates a totally artificial environment, AR users experience a real-world environment with generated perceptual information overlaid on top of it.
Augmented reality (AR) is the real-time use of information in the form of text, graphics, audio and other virtual enhancements integrated with real-world objects. It is this “real world” element that differentiates AR from virtual reality.
Three Elements of Augmented Reality
- Combination of digital and physical worlds.
- Interactions made in real time.
- Accurate 3D identification of virtual and real objects.
Classification of Augmented Reality
- Marker-based AR
- Markerless AR
What Is Mixed Reality?
According to “Wikipedia” Mixed reality is a term used to describe the merging of a real-world environment and a computer-generated one. Physical and virtual objects may co-exist in mixed reality environments and interact in real time. Mixed reality is largely synonymous with augmented reality.
According to “Adobe” Mixed reality (MR) is an emergent technology that blends virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Mixed reality headsets like the Microsoft HoloLens are opening up possibilities in the gaming world for mixed reality experiences.
Related: What are The 14 Different Types Of Chatbots you must know?
Types of Mixed Reality Displays
- Monitor based (non-immersive) video displays. Showing video of the real world onto which digital images are superimposed
- A HMD showing video. The same as type 1, but the content is in a HMD
- Optical see-through HMD. A see-through display that allows virtual images to appear superimposed over the real world
- Video see-through HMD. The same as 3, but showing video of the real world in front of the user with virtual graphics superimposed on it.
- Monitor based AV system. Showing 3D graphics on a monitor with superimposed video.
- Immersive or partially immersive AV. Showing 3D graphics in an immersive display with video superimposed on it.
- Partially immersive AV systems. AV systems which allow additional real-object interactions, such as interacting with one’s own (real) hand.
Three Components of Mixed Reality
- Real and virtual
- Interactive, real-time processed
- Registered in three dimensions
What are the uses of mixed reality?
Mixed reality has been used in applications across fields including
- Design
- Education
- Entertainment
- Military training
- Healthcare
- Product content management
- Human-in-the-loop operation of robots.
11 Ways The Manufacturing Sector Can Utilize Extended Reality Effectively
- The manufacturing sector can use XR to predict the operating costs and resource needs of upcoming work.
- The manufacturing sector can use XR to streamline efficiencies by reducing workforce numbers.
- The manufacturing sector can use XR to allow consumers to buy a product before its market launch.
- The manufacturing sector can use XR to create prototypes of new products without wasting resources.
- The manufacturing industry can produce prototypes of new products before they are marketed using this combined traditional and computer-based method
- A skilled workforce has become necessary to keep pace in the super-charged business world, with training a necessary yet expensive endeavor. XR tools can save money, time, and prevent injuries.
- Computer-aided design (CAD) makes an ideal use case as designers and their clients can immerse themselves in life-size plans while drafting. This allows for superior exploration of design space
- Engineering and manufacturing can sometimes involve dangerous functions. The use of augmented reality enables workers to conduct these actions from a safe distance. For instance, an employee can direct a robot to perform some tasks involving hazardous chemicals that pose a risk.
- New factory employees can learn how to use risky equipment via simulations and from anywhere. A job simulator can even include accurate deadlines, distractions, and other pressing demands.
- Manufacturing has also benefited from Extended Reality; one example is in the training of personnel, who through virtual experiences can learn step by step the mechanisms of their work before executing them.
- Many Manufacturing industries use immersive technologies so that the customer can try a product before buying, so a user can see how a garment fits, a beauty product and even know how a piece of furniture looks in their living room or a painting on their wall, this reduces potential returns and improves the consumer experience
