CapGemini’s study on the use of immersive technologies (augmented reality: AR, and virtual reality: VR) in industry, published in September 2018, reveals several interesting figures that allow for a better understanding of the current situation in the global market. This assessment offers several development paths to be examined by French companies wishing to position themselves in immersive technologies.
Popular uses of immersive technology
In the automotive, manufacturing, and energy sectors, the most popular uses of AR and VR are repair and maintenance, design, and assembly. Furthermore, 29% to 31% of companies using AR and/or VR utilize these two technologies for repair and maintenance, notably to consult digital reference documents (31%), call upon a remote expert (30%), digitally visualize components that are not physically available (30%), and integrate step-by-step instructions into various workstations (29%).
In terms of design and assembly, companies using VR and/or AR use them to visualize digital assembly instructions (28%), simulate product performance under extreme conditions (27%), visualize infrastructure from different angles (27%), and overlay design components onto existing modules (26%). For example, the report cites Ford’s use of VR technology to identify and then develop manual procedures using motion sensors installed on assembly lines. This resulted in a 70% decrease in employee injuries and a 90% reduction in ergonomic issues.
French companies called upon to catch up
Immersive technology has come a long way in a short time and will continue to evolve. Faced with aggressive competition from the United States and China, French companies are called upon to streamline their investments to seize the long-term growth potential offered by this technology. To do this, it is necessary to convince internal stakeholders by showing concrete results, as employees still have a very vague vision of the possible uses of immersive technology. The study recommends recruiting “tech evangelists” in all sectors of the company to involve all stakeholders. The rise of immersive technologies over the last 5 years faces a glaring reality: the scarcity of skills trained in these technologies on the French job market. This is why Mines Saint-Étienne, which is among the top engineering schools in France, deploys industry-oriented research. The School also plays a leading role in supporting companies through the industrial transition via its Mines Saint-Étienne Tech programme. Furthermore, Mines Saint-Étienne inaugurated the new IT’M Factory technology platform on June 14, 2018. This physical and virtual digital factory is developed as part of the Mines Saint-Etienne Tech programme.