Virtual Reality for Manufacturing Engineering in the Factories of the Future

Abstract

This paper discusses the possibilities of applying Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to Manufacturing Engineering, and in particular assesses its role in the Factory of the Future (FoF). We review, classify and compare the recommendations given by four major European reports on the challenges that have to be met for a successful deployment of the FoF, and we identify the potential contributions of VR to this vision in terms of new technologies, worker-factory relationship, modular infrastructure and production efficiency. We argue that VR can be a key technology to support the FoF at all levels of the Systems Engineering approach, either directly by applying it in standard engineering processes, or indirectly by leveraging other useful technologies.