4 Convergence of AR/VR with IoT in manufacturing and their novel usage in IoT

Abstract

Augmented reality is an interactive experience of a real-world environment, where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced and superimposed by computer-generated information. Virtual Reality is the use of computer technology to create a simulated immersive environment, which can be explored in 360 degrees. When AR and VR technologies are combined with Internet of Things (IoT), there are endless use cases and industries that benefit from this convergence. AR/VR + IoT can be used to display a machine’s performance in real-time; using sensors we can get the real-time data of an object and that data can be superimposed and shown to the user in AR or VR. This helps the manufacturing or service industries know about the status of the machine or a section visually, which helps in finishing the tasks sooner than conventional methods of working. Data visualization can be done in AR using smartphones, when an object or a machine is scanned using the smartphone. Data visualization on VR can be done using VR head-mounted devices like Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, or Hololens as well as smart glasses. When the user wears the VR device and views the application, he/she gets the feeling as if they are inside the machine or a place. AR + IoT is more suited for fixing day-to-day operations. VR + IoT is suited for training the employees in a given situation or virtual training of machinery. In this chapter, we will explain how combining AR and IoT can increase the productivity and how VR and IoT can help in reducing the training time of employees. Finally, we touch upon how the data that we extract out of this convergence of ARVR and IoT helps the companies get a meaningful insight into their operations and further optimize their production.