The Rise of the Industrial Virtual Reality Ecosystem

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At this year’s Industrial IMMERSIVE Week, a fascinating discussion unfolded about the future of the industrial virtual reality (VR) ecosystem. Dan O'Brien from HTC VIVE and Ryan Chapman from Motive.io joined the stage for a fireside chat to share their insights and experiences, diving deep into the challenges, opportunities, and future trajectories of VR in various industries.

Prefer to watch the full session? Access it on-demand here.

A Brief Introduction to the Pioneers

Dan O'Brien, a veteran of 16 years with HTC, proudly recounted his journey from starting the VIVE business as a small project with just two colleagues to now leading as the President of HTC Americas. His role encompasses sales, marketing, and operations across the region, reflecting his deep-rooted commitment to advancing VR technology.

Ryan Chapman, CEO of Motive.io, highlighted his company's evolution from gaming to focusing on extended reality (XR) training applications. Motive.io has built a robust platform that addresses significant training challenges, emphasizing the importance of an interconnected ecosystem in driving industry progress.

Navigating Industry Challenges

The conversation quickly turned to the challenges currently facing the immersive tech industry. Chapman pointed out that training is a key area where XR technology can shine, particularly through the D.I.R.E. framework:

  • Dangerous: Offering a safe space to practice hazardous tasks.

  • Impossible: Enabling experiences that are otherwise unattainable.

  • Rare: Allowing practice of infrequent yet critical scenarios.

  • Expensive: Reducing long-term costs despite initial investments.

O'Brien shared how HTC VIVE has been tackling these challenges by focusing on content creation, delivery, and consumption. With tools like Mars Amtrak for cost-effective content creation and 5G connected services for efficient content delivery, HTC aims to break down barriers and integrate VR more seamlessly into various professional environments.

Success Stories from the Field

When asked about successful deployments, both speakers had numerous examples. O'Brien highlighted the defense and federal sectors, where VR is used for training and simulation, including maintenance and forward command capabilities. He also mentioned significant traction in healthcare, heavy industry, and location-based entertainment, underscoring the versatility of VR applications.

Chapman discussed Motive.io's work with Emirates Airlines, aiming to train 20,000 cabin crew members in safety certification through VR, illustrating the cost savings and improved efficacy that VR training can offer. He emphasized that these benefits extend beyond cost reduction to enhanced employee satisfaction and preparedness.

The Road Ahead: Achieving the Tipping Point

Looking forward, both O'Brien and Chapman agreed that change management and integrated solutions are crucial for widespread adoption. Chapman noted the importance of building a strong business case for XR technology, while O'Brien emphasized the need to simplify and make VR more accessible to reduce friction in adoption.

The discussion also touched on the convergence of XR with other emerging technologies like AI and digital twins. Chapman argued for a nuanced view of convergence, suggesting that while technologies will integrate, they will still cater to distinct use cases. O'Brien added that connectivity advancements, such as 5G, will significantly enhance the deployment and efficacy of VR solutions, enabling more robust and secure applications.

Conclusion

The industrial VR ecosystem is on the cusp of significant growth, driven by continuous technological advancements and an increasing recognition of its business value. As companies like HTC VIVE and Motive.io lead the way, the next few years promise a transformative journey, reshaping how industries approach training, simulation, and beyond.

Watch this session and others from Industrial IMMERSIVE Week on-demand.

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