Augmented and Virtual Reality in the Workplace

Recent ‘innovation’ themed KIN Quarterly workshops have included “Reimagining the Innovative Organisation”, “The People Side of Innovation” and AI-augmented decision making. We continue the series for our Autumn Workshop (10/11 September) looking at how innovative technologies are shaping the way that work is done. We will look at how immersive technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), have transitioned from game-playing to serious business applications.

The emphasis will be on the business application of the technology rather than how the technology works. We will hear (and see) from pioneers in the practical application of AR and VR to solve real world business problems. There will be case studies from PwC, Severn Trent Water and the National College. The best way to understand the potential of these technologies is to actually try them out. Participants will be able to ‘immerse’ themselves in some of the AR and VR applications in our “Showcase” demonstrations from Kazendi, Cognitant, and Mbyronic.

Examples of business and operational tasks to which AR and VR bring benefits are: 

• Hands-free tasks: From engineering to medicine, the ability to access information and digital objects through AR and VR devices.  Examples: AR to enable engineers to see inside complex machinery by overlaying a design schematic. Allowing employees to check judgements, consult models or literally ‘see-through’ the problem.

• Visualisation of data, objects, projections and models: AR and VR technologies allow for visualisations of all kinds to be shared between teams within their working environment. Example: AR used to enable architects or product designers to share models with clients. 

• Improving teamwork, collaboration and communication: AR and VR have real potential to facilitate remote working and virtual team-working. Example: Team or project co-presence / virtual meeting in digital environments.

• AR and VR can provide cost-effective solutions for knowledge-intensive training on high-value assets. Example:  Virtual ‘on-the-job’ training in simulated hazardous environments.

KIN events always strive to balance academic and experiential learning. We will will start the day with a thought-provoking keynote from Dr Fridolin Wild. Fridolin has undertaken significant research into performance augmentation and enhanced learning techniques provided by Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality applications.

This workshop is not a glimpse into the future or ‘what might be’, but a practical exploration of what business and industry innovators are doing now to augment human capabilities and change the way that work is done.  But you need to experience this rather than read about it. If you're sceptical, I’m sure you'll come away more excited than you thought you would be.

KIN members can register to attend the workshop by contacting Jane at kin@wbs.ac.uk. Please register by 29^th August.

Not only, but also….

Previous KIN members (alumni) are invited to join current members on Monday 10th September from 2.30pm - 5.00pm for a guided tour of the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG). WMG provides innovative solutions to industry; through research, education and collaboration. The tour will include a visit to the Manufacturing Automation Centre, where they use immersive technologies and advanced 3D imagining. We will also visit the Autonomous Vehicle development centre where we will be able to try their simulator. This will be followed by a networking dinner in the evening. KIN alumni should let Jane at kin@wbs.ac.uk know if you’d like to attend the tour and the networking dinner by 29^th August.