TechViz - Blog - AR / VR for engineering

Some companies spend countless hours building prototypes in real life and conducting tests on physical products. CAD software like SolidWorks have helped many engineers and designers by enabling them to work with 3D models. What if you could go even further with virtual reality?

Imagine a room where the lines between the virtual and the real is blurred. You just step inside this room with VR glasses on and walk around a new prototype before it’s even built! This is the reality of immersive rooms and VR CAVE. Both provide various industries with endless business applications from product design and prototyping to safety training and complex data analysis.

Many industries are adopting AR and VR technologies inside their processes. For most use cases, traditional handheld controllers are more than enough in product-design and production processes. But for some precise use cases, adding VR finger tracking and haptic feedbacks is a real game-changer.

Many companies have yet to rely on VR for their process: AEC companies are still using 2D plans, engineers and designers are still working with CAD software developed 20 years ago, companies are still making many physical prototypes to compromise between engineering and design… Those methods are still usable but they entail many constraints and costs.

Digital trust is becoming an increasingly important concept for most organizations. What does this concept cover? It is usually defined as the level of confidence in people, processes, and technology to build a secure digital world. Indeed, as companies embark on the digital transformation journey, they need to ensure that the tools being put in place are trustworthy.

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are two innovative technologies that are in high demand today. In fact, a recent report notes that the AR and VR market is poised to grow to $140.1 billion by 2026, thanks to a high CAGR of 38.4%. As various industries such as manufacturing, automotive, shipbuilding, and education continue to find ways to creatively leverage said technologies, the market for professionals who understand how to develop them will become more competitive. It is important to remember that the VR technologies and strategies used for engineering differ from the one used in gaming. In gaming, developers are more focused on providing quality entertainment in a VR world. On the other hand, VR for engineering is set on delivering 3D models and visualization techniques to enhance the design process.

Pursuing an engineering career in AR and VR can provide you with job security and a stable income. However, breaking into the industry can be difficult, especially if you’re just starting out. Here, we’ll discuss how you can launch   your engineering career in this particular field.

This article is the 2021 edition of a regular review the TechViz team carries out to help you navigate the market. There are indeed many types of XR headsets around: tethered, all-in-one, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality… This can sometimes be confusing, especially because every manufacturer uses its own terminology to boast the uniqueness of its technology.

In 2080, one third of the European population will be 65 or older. For smart factories through the path of the Industry 4.0, it means having a “good” workplace is not enough, and its design should anticipate the preservation of the operator’s wellbeing. Therefore, the working environment for modern manufacturing workplaces must allow for the best productivity and quality outputs, while offering a secure environment for the workers.

Join us as we dive into the world of virtual reality and explore the insights of John Mould, Commercial Development Manager at Antycip Simulation SAS, a leading provider of technology solutions for immersive projection and display. With over 20 years of experience in the industry and a strong partnership with TechViz, John shares his thoughts on the future of VR and its evolution, from VR collaboration to the adoption of VR in various industries. Get a glimpse of the latest VR trends from this year's Laval Virtual 2019 and discover how VR is changing the game in education, entertainment, and more.