The Industrial Metaverse: A Complex Jigsaw Puzzle of Technologies
The Industrial Metaverse, defined as an interconnected, immersive, and persistent virtual universe where teams can interact with each other and digital objects in real time, may appear as pure innovation at first glance. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that it is a complex jigsaw puzzle of existing technologies that must be carefully integrated to fulfill its promise.
In industries such as design and operation of industrial infrastructure, professionals often find themselves grappling with heterogeneous data sources, multiple platforms, and data quality concerns. Furthermore, decisions need to be made on an hourly or minute-by-minute basis. The biggest complaint from industry experts is the sheer quantity of data and the trust they must place in it.
Now imagine placing these challenges within a live industrial metaverse setting, where teams gather to discuss the scheduling and details of production processing for the next six months. The outcome would certainly be disastrous without a solution. Recognizing the importance of trusted data, the first crucial piece of this jigsaw puzzle is the Digital Twin.
An example of the successful implementation of a Digital Twin can be seen in Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA. The Department of Water Resources in Gwinnett County manages various aspects of water purification and delivery to over 1 million residents every day. By working with AVEVA and its partner, Gwinnett created a digital twin of its water production plants, distribution networks, and water collection points. This unified platform optimized performance and increased clean-water delivery by 20% against industry standards, showcasing the immense value of a reliable data foundation.
While having world-class data is essential for an Industrial Metaverse, an equally important consideration is how people interact with each other in a more immersive 3D environment compared to the traditional 2D platforms like MS Teams and Zoom. The University of Milan recognized this challenge, particularly among Industrial Chemist undergraduates. While students could understand individual chemical concepts, they struggled to connect these concepts into a system typical of an operating plant. To address this, Professor Carlo Pirlo introduced AR/VR headsets in evening classes, simulating a full plant environment. The study conducted by Professor Pirlo showed a remarkable 60% increase in academic performance among students who attended the AR/VR sessions.
The ability to understand the world relies heavily on our perceptions of our environments. AR/VR immersion provides a powerful platform for the Industrial Metaverse to enhance collaboration between people and machines, including customers and supply chains. This powerful collaboration emerges as the second important piece of the jigsaw puzzle.
However, the Industrial Metaverse puzzle consists of many other factors that must be taken into account. These include cyber security, data dominion, cloud provision, network support for remote metaverse attendees, user experience design, the role of artificial intelligence, intellectual property protection, and more. While the list may be long, it is crucial to note that all these puzzle pieces are already existing technologies. There is no need to rely on unknown science or fundamental research. At AVEVA, we see great potential in the Industrial Metaverse. We are confident that, with the collaboration of our customers and technology partners, we can successfully complete this jigsaw puzzle.
In conclusion, the Industrial Metaverse presents itself as a complex jigsaw puzzle made up of existing technologies. A reliable data foundation through Digital Twins and immersive collaboration through AR/VR are just two of the essential pieces. While there are various other components to consider, all the puzzle pieces exist, waiting to be integrated into a seamless and transformative Industrial Metaverse. At AVEVA, we are excited about the possibilities and are committed to working with our customers and technology partners to unlock the full potential of the Industrial Metaverse.
