31 October 2018
Mixed Reality: Here's what your company needs to invest in to embrace the fourth industrial revolution.
We may not yet be able to work as freely with holograms as Tony Stark does in the famous Marvel movie “Iron Man” , but we are moving in a decidedly effective direction for companies active in industrial processes.
You've probably heard a lot about augmented reality and, probably even more often, virtual reality. These are two phenomena that have recently generated a lot of hype in the markets and have enabled the development of numerous industrial solutions.
Added to these solutions is a third, called mixed reality , which is one of the most important technologies Italian companies should invest in to embrace an Industrial Renaissance 4.0.
In short, here is the difference between the three solutions:
- Virtual reality (VR) uses immersion technologies in a completely virtual or artificial digital environment, nothing is real;
- Augmented reality (AR) adds virtual elements to the real world that can only be viewed through a device like our smartphone;
- Mixed reality (MR) not only adds a graphic layer to reality but also allows the user to interact with it through the use of gestures that allow them to “touch” the virtual layer.
Yes, but how does it help my business?
The solution we at The Thinking Clouds offer to businesses uses one of the most interesting technologies of recent times.
We are talking about Microsoft Hololens , a mixed reality headset that allows interaction with virtual elements within a work environment.
Let's give you an example: do you need to train your specialized staff to manage a machine that uses particularly complex processes?
At The Thinking Clouds , we design and develop e-learning solutions with virtual assistants, machine simulations, and added interfaces that enhance the next level of interaction in the production phase.
This type of tool allows you to: test machines while they are in operation elsewhere, train new specialized operators without purchasing machines for exclusively educational use, allow users to access internal components of the equipment without having to disassemble them, and much more.
Additionally, machine service management is also simplified: with alerts and hands-free video calls on Microsoft HoloLens, field service technicians can collaborate with any remote expert on a PC or mobile device to resolve issues in context.
We are currently developing a technology that combines mixed reality with artificial intelligence that can guarantee a very high level of efficiency for your company's industrial processes.