The manufacturing industry is in the midst of a transformative period. Technological advancements are enabling unprecedented operational efficiencies and revealing previously hidden revenue opportunities. At the same time, manufacturers must contend with the baby boomer exodus, curb rising cyberthreats, and meet climate regulations.
Industrial machinery suppliers are faced with the tall task of pushing the innovation envelope, while keeping production costs at bay. Customers require machines that unlock new use cases, but at the same time don’t necessitate significant training time for employees. To strike this balance, suppliers should strongly consider the adoption of immersive engineering solutions powered by Extended Reality (XR) hardware. As ABI Research already pointed in a recent blog post, cloud-based XR platforms foster greater collaboration between engineering and design teams, reduce error rates, and accelerate the design review process.
Immersive engineering is a game-changer for industrial machinery suppliers as they aim to enhance quality and productivity, while reducing costs and their carbon footprint. Their customers, who cite machine performance improvements as a top priority, have increasingly required new tools and products as they tackle recent headwinds such as COVID-19, worker strikes, and safety recalls.
The year 2024 provided numerous technology trends shaping the future of nearly every industry. ABI Research analysts have been covering these developments for some time, and now it’s time to reflect upon our studies in our annual trends whitepaper. Before we dive into the list, here’s a statement from Stuart Carlaw, Chief Research Officer:
The aerospace industry is rapidly embracing Extended Reality (XR) to address its complex challenges and improve efficiency. XR, an umbrella term encompassing Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR), is increasingly being used to enhance collaboration, design, and prototyping processes. With growing complexity in product development and increasing demand for efficiency, XR offers an immersive engineering solution that streamlines these workflows.
Extended Reality (XR) is transforming industries across the board, with annual shipments forecast to surpass 12 million by 2030. Aerospace manufacturing is a key sector where immersive solutions are making a striking difference. XR integration solves some of the aerospace industry's most pressing challenges, including design complexity, high iteration costs, and lengthy prototyping cycles. XR tools, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), are being utilized by aircraft manufacturers to enhance collaboration, improve design accuracy, and reduce operational costs.
Every vehicle on the road started with an idea that was tested vigorously. This process has historically required Two-Dimensional (2D) models and physical prototypes. However, these tactics are archaic compared to the Extended Reality (XR) tools available to automakers today.
The automotive industry is undergoing a digital transformation born out of the necessity to address labor shortages and sensitive supply chain intricacies. Extended Reality (XR) is a key piece to this technical shift, reshaping how vehicles are designed and engineered. Integrating XR into automotive processes not only helps address ongoing challenges, but also opens doors to new opportunities in vehicle innovation. By streamlining design and enhancing collaboration with XR, automakers can ensure they stay top-of-mind in a market with a sizable appetite for innovative features.
Augmented Reality (AR) is revolutionizing how warehouses operate, bringing unparalleled efficiency and accuracy to daily tasks. By integrating hands-free AR technology, warehouse workers are provided with instructions in their line of sight. Not only does this enhance safety, but it also improves operations like vision picking, cycle counting, and inventory management. This blog post explores key use cases of AR in warehouses and provides actionable recommendations for organizations aiming to unlock the full potential of this technology.
Digitalization of the retail industry has transformed how brands must account for customer experiences. Many consumers have been purchasing from retailers that allow them to virtually “try on” beauty and fashion products or see how a product looks in their living spaces. Extended Reality (XR)—including Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)—is the key enabler of these immersive and highly personalized shopping experiences. With 2 out of 3 consumers interested in using AR for shopping, retailers cannot ignore the appetite for XR-supported e-commerce. Additionally, and as will be pointed out later, XR can enrich in-store shopping as well.
