Engineers using Augmented Reality (AR) can see, manipulate, and create 3D CAD data in real-time, with the help of computer software and hardware. Augmented Reality being so progressively, can be integrated into the technical workflow of industrial companies, allowing engineers to use a new tool to optimize workflows in planning, development, and production.
Whenever you are immersed in VR, you are put into a simulated environment in which your mind and body are thrown out of touch with the real physical world for the most part. Both augmented reality and virtual reality have revolutionized a wide range of industries, including retail and entertainment to complex engineering, medical & healthcare, sports, and media.
Well, in this article, we will be talking about augmented reality and virtual reality for designers and engineers covering their uses and benefits to them.
How Can AR Help Designers and Engineers?
Let’s take a look at some of the following ways how can AR and VR help designers and engineers:
Create life-like designs
For designers and engineers, AR is a major advantage due to its ability to design and visualize an architectural plan, just as if it were in reality. Engineers and designers are finding augmented reality invaluable in the design process. The augmented 3D data can be placed correctly over an image in real time using a real-world target.
Multi-disciplinary Usage
Virtual reality can be used almost everywhere in design and development, from concept to manufacturing. The use of augmented reality (AR) in engineering is becoming more and more prevalent across the globe.
It can be used to overlay assembly examples, quality control information, and the steps included in the process over an actual workspace. By superimposing the overlay directly on the part of the entire machine, detailed information on maintenance procedures is also provided.
Create a Flawless Workable Model
Most often, AR is used by engineers and designers in the design phase to visualize their product before its manufacture. To ensure that the design is conducted under the same conditions in which the product will be used later on, tests are conducted under simulated conditions.
By using AR, engineers can take full advantage of the surrounding environment and space constraints during the design and creation of a superior, flawless model.
Marketing
Augmented reality can also be used in marketing by exhibiting various configurations, and specifics, and explaining how the product will work from the client’s side, In addition to this, augmented reality (AR) helps the architects assure the clients that their project is running smoothly as designed for.
Seeing AR over a mobile device or tablet
As a result of recent technological advances, engineering and design professionals can now view AR on their tablets or smartphone in addition to computer monitors. The Head-Mounted Display (HMD) further advances AR with the ability to project images over what you are seeing in real life using see-through glasses or goggles.
Benefits of AR and VR
Following are the top benefits of AR and VR that include:
Improve the Effectiveness of Learning Materials
Employers can develop solutions indicating additional materials or resources that are available on the user's screen after pointing the phone camera at a specific text within a training manual. Enterprises can use this technique to train employees about certain products, services, or solutions.
Some research suggests that VR teaching is way more effective than traditional methods of teaching. A study published in the Journal of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality found that VR/AR learners retained 80 percent of their knowledge after 1-year of training, while traditional learning retained only 20 percent.
Make The eLearning Process Engaging And Exciting
With Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, eLearning courses are becoming more interesting and engaging. eLearning professionals often encounter difficulty engaging online learners in their eLearning environment. The good news is alternate reality technology takes care of that problem.
Learning online gives people the opportunity to test out what they've learned without fear of repercussions. They encourage online learners to ask questions and inquire about what they are trying to learn, as well as take them beyond the boundaries of the classroom.
By participating in these programs, they can have experiences that may not otherwise be available to them. Further, research indicates that learners find it easier to learn by watching than by reading or writing.
The Best Way for Gamification
For a long time, onboarding and training employees have utilized gamification. Through gamification, employees are more likely to learn new skills and achieve results. A new level of gamification is now possible thanks to virtual reality and augmented reality.
VR allows companies to come up with advanced gamification techniques for improving learning. Employees will make a huge difference and the process will cut the time spent on it in half. It is possible to showcase what your company is best at and create a highly engaging learning experience.
In the gaming industry, virtual reality and augmented reality have become commonplace. The market for interactive and customized learning experiences is opening up to other industries. VR gamification creates a sense of reality, as well as facilitates learning in real time.
Increase brand awareness across social media platforms
As a trending channel for increasing brand awareness, virtual and augmented reality offer users immersive, interactive experiences from the first-person perspective, while retaining the personalized characteristics of social media platforms.
The power of AR and VR can help even emerging brands build their online presence. This also makes it easy for users to share their experiences on social media platforms using AR and VR applications. When their friends and family become interested in doing the same, their buzz can even grow faster.
Detailed analytics for understanding user behavior
Analytics of the web and social media are integrated into augmented and virtual reality solutions. It provides meaningful insights to better understand users’ behavior and preferences. You will see several opportunities after getting complete in-depth analytics.
If you know users’ varying tastes, you can answer questions that you didn’t even know you had. This is why you should refine your target market, strategy, reach, or whatever else it may be.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality for Designers and Engineers - How to use
Both AR and VR can be used by designers and engineers to perform various tasks in various industry segments, which include:
Training
Both AR and VR have great potential to recreate real-world experiences in a highly detailed manner, which could revolutionize the training for city employees from various fields. In the simulation of dangerous or difficult real-life situations, it is particularly valuable.
DPW workers could practice responding to workplace injuries, emergency responders could practice rescuing elderly or handicapped residents, and police officers could practice virtual drug raids. In addition to this, training programs with AR and VR offer employees the chance to practice various scenarios, preparing them to handle all aspects of their job.
Education
Both Augmented reality and virtual reality have the power to bring hundreds of students together in the classroom and provide more exciting and engaging classroom experiences. Teachers make use of AR and VR technology to create an amazing learning experience environment that allows students to explore a wide range of areas of the world they may not be familiar.
Through the funding of these types of technologies in schools, cities can make schools more accessible to students who live in hospitals or underdeveloped rural areas.
Culture and Tourism
AR can help improve visitor experiences with city landmarks by providing additional imagery and historical information or cultural details. It is encouraging to find out how other cities are harnessing new technologies to highlight their historical pasts, as Cluny, a town in France, used augmented reality screens to illustrate what its community looked like in the Middle Ages.
Operations
With the use of virtual reality, robots can replicate a user’s hand movements by using hand controllers. These robots can emulate the movements of humans through the use of multiple sensor displays and can be used in industries and factories that are highly unsafe for workers.
With the help of controllers, users can move, pick up, and retrieve objects. A monitor displays the location of the robotic arm consistently, so users can plan actions and movements accordingly. This helps factories to ensure the safety of their workers with the combination of robotics and virtual reality.
Final Thoughts
Thus, it is clear that the use of AR/VR applies to almost every stage of the process in almost every industry, from the initial design and concept phase to the manufacturing phase where concepts and phases are re-examined and evaluated as they would appear in the real world. It involves the process of underlying process steps, quality control information, operations, workflows, and assembly examples in the actual work environment.
They can help provide detailed information on maintenance procedures, overlaying them directly onto your part or machine. From streamlining processes and workflows to facilitating communication and providing an amazing real-life experience to users, these technologies are widely used by large industries and enterprises from around the world and are expected to continue to rise in the future. Get in touch with trusted AR VR developers for your business needs.