St.Pölten, 08.08.2024. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) – often summarised as Mixed Reality (MR) or Extended Reality (XR) – not only expand the possibilities of data visualisation, but also enable new forms of collaboration.

In a joint project, four universities and more than 20 well-known (industrial) companies investigated how the technologies can be used intuitively to train employees. ‘Although they have sometimes already come into contact with it, many companies do not realise how they can use such technologies to their advantage, what benefits they have and what potential they can tap into. For this reason, mixed reality is not or hardly ever used in many industries that could benefit from it. In our IMPACT-sXR project, we have remedied this situation and developed a training and assistance concept that makes it easier for users to intuitively learn new ways of working,’ says Thomas Moser, Head of the Institute for Creative\Media/Technologies at St. Pölten UAS and scientific project manager of the IMPACT-sXR project.

The project developed new methods for the use of virtual reality (VR), the computer-aided expansion of reality perception, and augmented reality (AR), i.e. environments in which the real and virtual worlds merge. The researchers and companies have tested this, for example to provide training for activities in assembly and maintenance processes or quality inspection.

Neue Formen der Zusammenarbeit

The project team trialled new forms of room-independent collaboration. This includes, for example, two people working in the same VR room but being physically separated in the real world, or someone receiving remote support from a person who is not on site when servicing a machine.

To do this, teams use real-time 3D information from real environments and visualisations of real-time production data that can be interacted with.

The project has also established new XR-supported training and learning methods. ‘XR methods make it easier to implement adaptable training scenarios. They increase the measurability of learning success and allow training to be adapted more quickly to changing conditions. The gamification approach can be used to incorporate game-like elements when teaching content,’ says Moser.

Examples: From industrial assembly and underground railway construction to company presentations Almost all of the companies involved in the project provided specific case studies that were analysed and further developed.

For example, AUVA and the Spar supermarket chain used an avatar to test augmented reality visualisations of ergonomically correct movement sequences when lifting loads. The company Geodata worked with Wiener Linien to develop new methods for surveying underground railway construction sites.

Other cases included the changing of industrial circular saw blades, the assembly of a compressor control unit or a motor, as well as new employees familiarising themselves with the company and its products as part of their induction training.

Acceptance and sustainability

In the project, the researchers worked together with companies and their employees to develop processes to ensure acceptance of the newly developed technologies and working methods.

The project also investigated the benefits of XR solutions in terms of sustainability, energy and resource efficiency and a possible reduction in the ecological footprint.

Large network and open knowledge

The large network of project partners (23 partners from industry and four universities) covered many use cases and ensured that knowledge about the potential applications of XR technologies was widely disseminated.

The research results obtained were made available to the public, provided they did not affect any company-specific data or processes. This means that they are also accessible to companies that were not involved in the project.

The universities involved were the FH Joanneum, the FH Upper Austria, the TU Vienna and the FH St. Pölten as scientific project leader. The project was coordinated by the Mechatronics Cluster of ecoplus – Lower Austria’s business agency.

Company partners were: Geodata Group, Hoerbiger Wien GmbH, Umdasch Group Ventures GmbH, RHI Magnesita GmbH, Palfinger AG, Lenze SE [Germany], Otto Bock HealthCare Products GmbH, Wr. Linien GmbH & Co KG, Voestalpine Böhler Welding Group GmbH, ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG, Bosch Rexroth GmbH [Germany], ZKW Group GmbH, voestalpine Signaling Zeltweg GmbH, Trotec Laser GmbH, Framag Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, AUVA, Takeda Pharma Ges.m.b.H., AMS, Swietelsky AG, Siemens AG, Haumberger e.U. and Inventio GmbH.

Project IMPACT-sXR – Industrial Manufacturing Process And Collaboration Tools for sustainable XR

Projektseite der FH St. Pölten: https://research.fhstp.ac.at/projekte/impact-sxr-industrial-manufacturing-proces…

Projektseite von ecoplus: https://www.ecoplus.at/interessiert-an/cluster-plattformen/mechatronik-cluster/b…

Ergebnisse aus dem Projekt (Bericht, PDF)): https://research.fhstp.ac.at/content/download/286989/file/IMPACT-sXR_Ver%C3%B6ff…

About St. Pölten UAS – University of Applied Sciences

St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences is a provider of practical and performance-orientated higher education in the fields of media, communication, management, digital technologies, computer science, security, railway technology, health and social affairs. In 6 departments, numerous Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes as well as continuing education courses offer almost 4,000 students a future-oriented education. Teaching and research are closely interlinked. As a European University, St. Pölten UAS leads the European University Alliance E³UDRES² (Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions) and works with universities from 9 partner countries on concepts for the university of the future and on the development of smart and sustainable European regions.

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