Extended Reality: Factory has changed vision

Extended Reality - Acty

Wired introduces Giorgio Nepa and Extended Reality (XR).

On the occasion of volume 100 of Wired Italia, a special on innovation has been realized, telling the 100 “things” of today that Wired would bring in the future: technologies, products, stories, companies, and people that, today, are already showing us tomorrow and that represent the best that the world of our time can offer. Inside this special, talking about Industry 4.0 and Innovation, Alessio Foderi interviewed Giorgio Nepa, the CEO of Icona.

Thanks to Alessio, who gathered useful and equally fascinating insights from Nepa about the future of extended reality (XR) and its role in the latest industrial revolution. Before we get to the point of sharing Nepa’s statements, let’s first visit the basic concept of extended reality and its various types.

What is Extended Reality (XR)

Extended Reality is a collective term used to refer to immersive technologies that include Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). These technologies provide a digitally immersive experience to the users by simulating reality or by extending reality with additional elements/information. The goal is to expedite lengthy industrial procedures such as manufacturing, testing, and training by implementing cost-effective technologies.

Virtual Reality (VR)

As its name indicates, virtual reality technology enables a fully immersive user experience by taking them to simulated reality. It can be experienced digitally with the use of VR glasses or Headsets.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented Reality overlaps digital information/elements on the physical reality or real-world objects. It enables the users to interact with the virtual elements in the physical environment. Unlike virtual reality, augmented reality does not take the user outside the real world. For example, in a logistics factory, if a worker wears AR glasses, he can see the instructions and information about the objects he passes by in real-time.

Augmented Reality is changing the game at various levels in different industries. Companies have unlocked the secret of digitizing their conventional practices by deploying this smart technology. Training of employees, remote assistance, and quality testing of products have gained an awe-inspiring momentum with promising results and amplified efficiency!

Giorgio Nepa, CEO of Icona, an Italian scaleup recently listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, confirms these enormous advances when interviewed by Wired.

“The pandemic has accelerated the phenomenon of Augmented Reality, especially in remote support. Through the use of smart glasses, it is possible to frame the machinery, receive instructions and view them while having hands free. Users can decrease up to 60% of the time to solve problems, increasing customer satisfaction.”

Mixed Reality (MR)

When AR and VR are integrated to perform a task, that combination of technologies is called mixed reality. It merges the real and digital worlds and enables experimental training. Compared with VR, MR with higher AR development is rapidly penetrating different industries at various levels. For example, marketing, education/training, manufacturing, and engineering support/assistance.

Big names like BAE System have incorporated Mixed Reality technology to advance their training methods and accelerate their operations, reducing battery build time by 40% and ensuring quality training using Microsoft HoloLens.

What can be expected in the future?

Extended Reality has smartly made its way into complex industrial processes and operations. The only simple answer is that we are moving towards a major paradigm shift in every workspace and routine of life! From educational modalities to customer experiences, medical treatments, manufacturing operations, supply chain management, and entertainment!

Technology evangelists know no bounds, and they won’t stop unless they influence every industry to modernize processes, improve productivity and optimize everything else.

The future of reality will extend to such an extent that normal operations without Extended Reality will be considered incomplete and ineffective! The modern factory has truly changed the vision of all those influenced by this stupendous digital progression!

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