Even though augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies have been in the spotlight for a while, fascinating new consumer applications continue to grab the public’s attention. But a closer look reveals they have made real strides in non-consumer sectors like smart factory settings.
The Covid-19 outbreak also compelled the sector to review its manufacturing procedures in search of safer and more effective production techniques.
Virtual reality (VR) is also becoming into a crucial tool for data-driven design, production, and verification processes. For instance, VR-based prototyping is becoming a crucial tool in the product review process for automakers.
On CAD data, AR
Automobile manufacturers like BMW are employing AR applications to verify that component dimensions are correct.
BMW employs augmented reality software to accelerate the engineering process for car concepts and prototypes by up to a year, from the design of individual vehicle parts through the complexity of production stages.
It’s a significant benefit that helps BMW integrate new vehicles more quickly and affordably into production.
According to Michael Schneider, head of Complete Vehicle at BMW’s Pilot Plant, “the AR goggles and CAD data allow us to find out much more quickly whether the production worker will be able to fit the component properly later on, in series production.” The Pilot Plant in Munich’s Research and Innovation Center can put together combustion- and electrical-powered prototypes.
The process is as follows: The experts utilize the AR eyewear to drag and drop CAD component files from the web-based database to recreate the data in 3D and at their original size in a realistic context. Here, the hand-operated AR application enables direct engagement with virtual elements.
To change the size, location, and angle of components, just move your hand. Additionally, engineers from various parts of the world can collaborate and discuss designs and thoughts by using the multi-user option.
Another well-known automaker adopting VR in its electric vehicle (EV) prototyping is Honda.
VR operations with immersion
BMW is also using VR to plan assembly operations, logistics, and plant engineering while leveraging digital manufacturing data that is available in 3D. The German manufacturer uses specialized 3D scanners and high-resolution cameras to digitally capture real plant structures with an accuracy of just a few millimeters. This makes it easier to create a 3D production scatter plot. BMW integrates existing data with a virtual library of shelves and mesh boxes based on this 3D data when building up workstations or full assembly halls.
Honda is another carmaker embracing virtual reality to create automobiles, including the tough 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport and the entirely electric 2024 Honda Prologue. When travel restrictions jeopardized Honda designers’ ability to work with engineers on the design of the Prologue during the Covid-19 outbreak, everything started to fall into place. As a result, the Los Angeles-based Honda Design Studio, which was in charge of Prologue’s design, pushed the use of VR to eliminate communication gaps between its international design and development teams.
According to Mathieu Geslin, VR technology head at the Honda Design studio, Honda engineers and designers next combined digital content and real assets in a seamless manner to engage with what they were witnessing and touching in an immersive world.
To properly utilize virtual reality in a data-driven design process with clay modeling as the verification tool, Honda Prologue was essential.
High-tech automation
AR and VR technology may be the next frontier to alter factory operations and workforce after analytics and automation. The emergence of Industry 4.0 and new product releases have further increased these immersive technologies.
A more advanced kind of automation that incorporates digital technology into manufacturing is also evident in AR and VR technologies. A fully immersive 360-degree experience that incorporates real-world data, interactive features, and computer-generated imagery may be crucial in the development of future manufacturing techniques.
