Virtual Reality

Virtual reality, which is among the terms we have heard quite often in recent years, has taken its place in our lives from the most professional platforms to technology markets in its simplest form. So what is behind this application, which is formed by the combination of two opposite words such as virtual and reality, how does it work, where is it used and what is its place in industrial production?

Wearable technologies are starting to take on more and more surprising dimensions day by day. Wearable technology no longer means technological devices used in daily routine work. The benefits of wearable technology are also used in gaming platforms, which are familiar to almost everyone who is closely involved with technology in daily life or on the internet. The virtual reality glasses used by people on the platforms make that person feel like they are in another environment at that moment. So how does this technology work and how can such a technology be used in industrial production other than entertainment applications?

Virtual reality applications have been around for quite some time, but have been accelerating lately due to the advancement of technology and, most importantly, the declining amount of money mass consumers have to pay to own a VR equipment. Before we explain virtual reality in detail, let's start with the basics.

In order to implement a virtual reality application, 3 basic components are required. The first is a computer, console, or smartphone that can run an app or game. The second component is a headset that fixes and protects the screen (could be a smartphone screen) in front of the eyes. The final component is head tracking, hand tracking, controls, audio, on-device buttons or touch panels – various inputs in the device control algorithm.

Virtual reality devices are commonly referred to as HMDs. This abbreviation consists of the initials of the words "Head Mounted Display", which means head-mounted display in English. The hardware purpose of virtual reality glasses is to create an environment capable of displaying an unlimited 3D object that cannot be associated with a normal screen, TV or computer monitor. In virtual reality applications, no matter which direction the user looks at, the face-mounted screen follows the user's movements.

Virtual reality devices use two broadcasts sent by one or two screens for each eye. There are also lenses placed between the eye and the broadcast device. For this reason, virtual reality devices are commonly referred to as virtual reality glasses. In some special cases these lenses may change with eye compatibility parameters varying between wearers. These lenses focus and reshape the image for each eye, giving a new perspective to the 2D (2D) image, creating a stereoscopic 3D image where the user can see the world in a different way than ever before. The image to be converted into 3 dimensions must have transitions of at least 60 frames per second in order to create a satisfactory image for the user's eyes.

Virtual Reality and Industry 4.0

The industrial manufacturing sector has come a long way since the 18th century. And we will see a bigger evolutionary leap in the future in the sector, which is currently in the 4th industrial revolution. The combination of virtual reality technology with these advances in the 4th industrial revolution, which offers new production techniques, ways of working, more efficient methods and opportunities, will change the landscape in the industrial field. Virtual reality is no longer just a technology used for entertainment. Industrial manufacturers feel that this potential application could address a wide range of needs. As this revolution in the industry progresses, virtual reality applications will stand by the workers in the industry to meet the needs.

Billions of machines, systems and sensors worldwide communicate and share information. Industry 4.0 compiles the industrial revolutions of the past with the latest technologies today. The industrial revolution that is taking place aims to increase manufacturing efficiency by safely analyzing data and producing information that can positively affect companies. The role that people will play in these new working conditions is a matter of great debate. Company executives are skeptical about the role human labor will play in these new technologies. But one thing is certain in the industry. The industrial manufacturing sector will certainly not remain the same.

Today, thousands of factory workers are trained with virtual reality devices. Because VR (Virtual Reality) applications offer unlimited space to employees by accurately simulating factory operations. With this application, logistics, IT (Information technology) systems, repairs, assembly processes are taught step by step to a level that workers can use them completely independently from a second person. In addition, minimum costs and errors in learning development can be measured. Especially when a factory is being built, training can begin before the physical installation of the factory. Companies are developing training concepts in VR applications that can be customized for different types of factories and adapted to different types globally. A company in Munich, Germany, has been developing and consulting custom virtual reality applications in the field of internet and application solutions for more than five years.

While most applications in virtual reality technology have been developed for the gaming industry, real-world applications are also benefiting from this progress. For example, many firms in the architectural industry still use drawings and mock-ups to illustrate structures in their construction projects. A top model presentation in this field is provided by modeling structures with a CAD (Computer Aided Design) software and viewing everything from a computer or projector. Today, the highest level of such presentations is realized with virtual reality applications. With VR technology, the digitized building model is moved to an intense digital environment, enabling the user to interact with the model and allowing the user to look at the model in real terms.

With virtual reality technology, it is planned to develop even more common applications in the future. Users will be able to control all elements of the factories with the support of remote collaboration in live environments. These developments will also enable the interactive visualization of industrial areas, enabling solutions to be produced without disrupting production. Some of these developments are listed below.

►Virtual reality applications will be widely used at fairs for almost all global industrial manufacturers.

►Companies will use virtual reality applications to build smart new technologies in industrial applications.

►Users will be able to share information in physical systems of factories with web-based systems.

►Manufacturing processes will become more flexible and small batch sizes will be allowed for economical productions. Robots and smart products will make decisions and communicate with each other to achieve this flexibility.

►Automated logistics systems operating robotic machines will be adjusted to their own production needs.

The most important component of VR applications is the viewing experience. In order to obtain an image that surrounds the user, everything must be displayed in 3D. A VR device allows navigation and manipulation of objects with a device known as a "flystick".

As an example of VR applications today, the Aerospace Innovation Center (AMIC) in Malaysia has created a power wall integrated with an HMD (Head Mounted Display). 6 infrared cameras were used as the monitoring mechanism in the system. In use, the VR system will generate coordinates in 3D space to analyze the performance of a drill. This project will collect data that experts in the industry sector need to use for systems testing, validation, and qualitative and quantitative measurements.

Another project of AMIC, which is trying to take full advantage of this technology, is the 3D workplace solid virtualization and optimization project. AMIC is collaborating with one of Malaysia's leading aviation companies on this project. As we mentioned earlier, this project will make it look like it was inside a factory before the construction phase started, from an architectural point of view. When looking at the project from an engineering point of view, the feature to be performed is the area optimization calculation. The virtual reality (VR) system will reflect the coordinates and surroundings of all equipment, furniture and everything that will be put in the factory. Based on the data, the best layout for space optimization of the system can be calculated. Other additional features to be implemented are the motion feasibility study in the factory (for example, the analysis of a forklift path, the possibility of collision, etc.), the simulation of natural lighting caused by the movement of the sun.

Considering the applications realized and planned to be realized in the sector, it is predicted that virtual reality technology will be widely used in the field of industrial production in the future. It seems that it will be possible to see virtual reality glasses, which have been widely used by mass consumers, in the eyes of factory workers in the future.