Last week, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York hosted the NYVR Expo, where movers and shakers from the virtual and augmented reality fields were given the opportunity to wow the crowds, showcasing the numerous applications and implications of these innovative technologies.
While most of the booths were dedicated to entertainment purposes, the expo did feature an assortment of companies pioneering the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tech in the industrial and manufacturing spheres.
Learning and Training
Many of these practical applications deal with workplace education or training. One company, Aquinas, is using virtual reality to put a new spin on on-the-job training. Aquinas software allows workers to simulate work scenarios that would be too dangerous, expensive, or difficult to replicate in real life, allowing employees to learn high-risk skills in a low-risk setting.
This form of training can allow for a more comprehensive understanding of duties and responsibilities, extending beyond basic training. Not only does Aquinas VR provide hands-on training experiences, it also operates on an emotional level, creating more authentic context.
This software can also be used for developing soft skills, such as public speaking. By providing an immersive experience that depicts how speaking at an event would look and feel, users can develop their skills and techniques in a much more realistic setting.
Another conference participant, Revinax, offers virtual reality training and tutorials that can be accessed on mobile phones. The company was founded by Dr. Maxime Ros, a French neurosurgeon who saw the global need for better surgical training and recognized that VR could be used as a precision training tool for surgeons around the world.
With that in mind, Revinax’s ultimate goal is to help close the gap between highly skilled work and worker availability. The company’s tutorials also extend beyond medical training, covering a wide range of industrial and business skills.
STEM Education
Some companies are trying to use educational virtual reality as a way of making STEM — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — subjects more accessible and fun for students. Abelana, for example, has set up virtual classrooms all over the world, connecting students as young as 12 with immersive STEM courses in a unique multi-user experience.
Here’s the idea: Teachers bring their students to one of Abelana’s global venues as part of a field trip, where the class has access to a wealth of information about atoms, orbitals, and the periodic table of elements. Using visuals, the students are able to learn in a highly intuitive way while also interacting with one another. They also get to compete with each other in educational games, making for a highly engaging experience.
Data Analytics and Presentation
Virtual reality is even being developed to help individuals and companies get a better understanding of their data. For example, Geometric, an immersive visualization web app designed by a company called Datavised Technologies, is providing a new way to look at data — one that is pragmatic, aesthetically engaging, and much more dynamic than traditional graphs.
This software as a service (SaaS) looks similar to Google Earth, but includes an overlay of data graphs. Users can upload their regional data into the app and then watch as this data pops up all over a map in 3D. Geometric even offers a four-dimensional capability, allowing users to input historical data. By experiencing this data visually, users not only glean a better understanding of past trends, but also see how those trends evolved into the current situation.
The Takeaway
Although VR and AR are still in their infancies for industrial applications, the companies at last week’s NYVR Expo illustrate the growing trend of incorporating these technologies into regular industrial practices. And as Industry 4.0 continues to spread and evolve, it will only be a matter of time before these tools become standard components for any company looking to maintain a competitive edge.
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