Virtual Reality In Team Collaboration

Found an exciting new study on 3D modeling, AI and robotics. I'll explain the tech, but first... a story: Imagine pointing a camera at your factory floor or a complex assembly line. Instantly, on your screen, you see a live, interactive 3D model of that entire space – not just the machinery, but also your workers moving within it, all updated continuously in real-time. Think of it like having a perfect, living dynamic dollhouse version of your operations that mirrors reality second-by-second. Rather than a recording of something that already happened, it's live spatial understanding. That's what this new research potentially makes possible. It introduces a framework for simultaneously tracking camera movement, estimating human poses, and reconstructing both the human and the surrounding scene in 3D, all in real-time. Using 3D Gaussian Splatting, it efficiently models dynamic elements. This sets a precedent for creating live, detailed digital twins of humans interacting with environments, which will be crucial for advancements in robotics (so they have real-time perception), virtual and/or augmented reality, and human-computer interaction. Eventually, this means a lot of positive knock-on effects: - Smarter Robots: Robots could use this live 3D view to navigate complex, changing environments and work much more safely and effectively alongside your human workforce. - Hyper-Realistic Training: You could drop trainees into virtual or AR simulations that perfectly replicate live operational conditions for unparalleled realism. - Remote Expertise: Remote experts could literally "walk through" the live digital twin to troubleshoot issues or guide on-site staff with complete, real-time context. This will enable bridging the gap between the physical world and digital systems instantly, enabling much smarter automation, collaboration, and analysis. Paper: https://lnkd.in/eH6VmmCg

Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality, and three-dimensional tools are applied to improve training and troubleshooting at GE Aerospace. Looking ahead, AR eyeglasses, remote support, and agentic #AI could work together to provide real-time, contextual guidance. At the Customer Technical Education Center, GE Aerospace has used 3D tools and AR to transform training for service bulletins on the CFM #LEAP reverse bleed system retrofit. By converting a 600-page field manual into visual AR instructions that show where parts are located, how to remove and install them, training time has been reduced from five days to about three. Three-dimensional visual work instructions also helped trainees work nearly seven times faster. Teams using AR removed 35 parts in the first three hours, compared with five parts using a traditional text-based manual. GE Aerospace has used this technology to train customers. At the Pune, India facility, AR weld simulators are helping train apprentice welders in a risk-free environment without using raw materials. Compared with traditional classroom instruction, training time has been reduced by 20%, while precision has improved, errors have decreased, and operational readiness has accelerated. Digital visualization technologies can improve productivity, enhance quality, and accelerate training by combining contextual information with interactive learning for operators and customers.

During the recent #SEG2025 post-conference IOCG workshop I was able to give AR core logging technology a quick try. The system, developed through the MinEx CRC and led by Tom Raimondo at the University of South Australia, together with CSIRO, allows a wide range of datasets to be viewed via a tablet (or VR headset) superimposed over the core. I used Fe (%) and Cu (%) for the quick trial on core from BHP's Carrapateena operation, and it instantly identified areas of interest. While it represents a break from traditional logging, I can totally see this technology being in daily use in a few years, and I think it offers a great opportunity for loggers to be more efficient with their time i.e. to spend more of it on geologically interesting parts of the core. The opportunity for increased quantitative/data driven logging, data integration with other platforms, collaboration with colleagues, instant checks/verification, and potential for remote/more flexible work are huge. I still 100% think that it is vital to look at the rocks, but if anyone has trialed this (or similar tech) in the field I'd be interested to hear how you got on in the comments. With ever increasing access to more (and better) data do you think that being able to log drill core remotely (e.g. working from home) might become a thing in the next few years? More info in a 2024 article from Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA) here: https://lnkd.in/gTWqeXnk

What if you could monitor an entire industrial plant just by moving your hand? We built a real-time Augmented Reality system that overlays live sensor data — temperature, pressure, flow rate, RPM — directly over the physical world through a camera. No touchscreens. No keyboards. No headsets. Using AI-powered hand tracking, computer vision, and applied mathematics, we created a fully gesture-controlled interface where operators can grab, move, zoom, and diagnose any piece of equipment — all hands-free, eyes-forward, in the middle of the plant floor. The system detects 21 hand landmarks at 30+ FPS, uses Euclidean geometry and Exponential Moving Average filters to interpret gestures with precision, and generates AI diagnostic reports in real time. The result? A monitoring interface that costs a fraction of traditional industrial platforms — and built entirely in Python. 👇 Read how the math and AI behind it actually works. By Panzera Technology

The Digital Gemba Walk: Remote Operational Excellence in a Global Network The Problem: The traditional Gemba Walk, a Lean cornerstone, requires physical presence to observe and improve processes. In today's global, distributed logistics, this is often impractical, creating a disconnect between leadership and frontline reality. How can we gain crucial Gemba insights when the "Gemba" is geographically dispersed? The Expert Insight: The Digital Gemba Walk leverages technology to bring the "actual place" to the observer. It integrates real-time data (IoT, telematics, WMS/TMS), high-definition video, AR tools, and collaborative digital platforms. This creates a virtual, immersive operational environment, allowing leaders to observe processes, identify waste, engage with personnel, and implement solutions with the same depth as a physical walk, but with unprecedented scale and efficiency. It transforms oversight from reactive reporting to proactive, data-rich engagement. My experience in digital transformation and Lean methodologies is crucial here. Actionable Steps for Implementing a Digital Gemba Walk: 1. Integrate Real-Time Data Streams: Connect IoT sensors on vehicles and in warehouses to a centralized data platform. Include telematics, WMS/TMS data, and external feeds (weather, traffic) for a holistic operational picture. 2. Deploy High-Definition Remote Observation Tools: Use fixed and mobile cameras (e.g., on forklifts, drones, bodycams) to provide live video feeds from critical operational areas, ensuring secure, high-bandwidth connectivity. 3. Leverage Augmented Reality (AR) for Contextual Insights: Equip frontline workers with AR glasses or tablets that overlay real-time data (e.g., package contents, temperature, next task) onto their physical environment, enhancing issue identification and remote collaboration. 4. Establish Collaborative Digital Platforms: Use dedicated platforms for virtual team meetings, problem-solving, and idea sharing. These should allow for video annotation, data analysis, and tracking of improvement initiatives. 5. Train for Digital Observation & Engagement: Develop new skills for leaders and teams in interpreting digital data, conducting virtual interviews, and facilitating remote problem-solving. Emphasize active listening and empathetic engagement. 6. Define Clear Digital Gemba Routes & Focus Areas: Define specific virtual routes or processes to observe, focusing on areas with high potential for waste reduction or performance improvement. Conclusion: The Digital Gemba Walk is a powerful extension of Lean principles for the modern supply chain. By embracing technology, leaders gain deeper, more timely insights, foster continuous improvement across vast distances, and drive operational excellence. Is your Gemba confined to four walls, or are you embracing the digital frontier? #LeanLogistics #GembaWalk #DigitalTransformation #OperationalExcellence #SupplyChainInnovation #IoT #AI #ContinuousImprovement

Quick take: Stop building POCs (or Proof of Concepts). With the market in flux, many teams are rethinking how they invest. What I’m seeing more often is a shift toward smaller, focused initiatives that deliver measurable results. And that makes sense - smaller bets with less risk. But rather than proving that a technical solution is possible - we have to demonstrate it is valuable instead. One approach that’s gaining traction with C Suite instead: Proof of Value. Rather than being concerned about solely how feasible a new idea might be, be critical of how valuable it is (and build up the ROI business case before getting started). Start with a specific problem. Choose a metric that matters to your leadership team. Understand the nature of the problem and its impact on the business. Run a small test to show what’s possible. Most importantly, measure and track the value you are creating. Even when capital expenditures are required - this strategy is working. For example: manufacturing companies have been struggling with workforce and skilled labor shortages. The cost of losing experienced skilled workers over time is exacerbated when retention of new employees is only 50% after the first 3 months. There is a training, onboarding, and effectiveness gap with skilled labor in manufacturing and teams are getting creative on how to address it. In this case, operators are creating ROI positive investments by totally rethinking digital products with AR (or Augmented Reality) to support training, onboarding, and guided assistance. They do it on a single line, shift, or site - and measure the impact. AR technology has evolved to where this is no longer a Proof of Concept required (the technology isn't experimental - it is ready to scale). Rather - it is a measure of how such AR solutions improve retention of knowledge, reduce turnover, and eliminate build errors. And the results are clear: • 80% reduction in assembly errors • 50% improved retention over other training methods • 20% reduction in assembly time This kind of PoV approach helps teams move forward with confidence and clarity, even when the broader market is in flux. Small steps. Real data based on value created. Clear direction.

It is fascinating to see how extended realities like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are already making a big impact in the design and manufacturing industries. Now think about what could happen if we applied the same tools in construction. A Deloitte report shows that using AR and VR in construction can reduce rework by up to 30 percent and improve safety planning by up to 40 percent. And this makes sense. - Site teams could walk through a 3D model before any physical work begins. - Engineers could fix design issues on-site at full scale before installation. - Clients could experience their project before the foundation is even laid. These are not future concepts. Some projects around the world are already doing this. Several construction companies have started using virtual reality to train site staff in safety procedures. Workers can now experience high-risk scenarios in a simulated environment. This improves safety awareness, response time, and overall preparedness on-site. Extended reality can help solve key challenges in construction such as 1. Miscommunication between design and site teams 2. Rework from unclear drawings or design issues 3. Delays due to late design changes 4. Safety risks in complex work environments That is a major advantage for project time, cost, and quality. As someone working closely with cloud construction platforms like Autodesk Construction Cloud, I see great value in combining XR with tools we already use for models, coordination, and issue tracking. VR ready platforms like Autodesk Workshop XR, Revizto, Chaos Enscape, and Unity Reflect already support these immersive workflows and make collaboration much more effective. Construction is not just becoming digital. It is becoming immersive.

The Skilled Trades Shortage Isn’t Just a Labour Problem. It’s a Training Design Problem. We keep saying: “There aren’t enough trades.” True. But here’s what we’re not saying: Traditional construction requires fully certified trades on every site, every time. Modular/offsite doesn’t. Offsite manufacturing breaks work into repeatable, controlled, process-driven tasks. That means we can: • Reduce variability • Standardize steps • Capture expert knowledge once • Scale it across many workers The real opportunity? Use VR to train. Use AR to guide. Use remote experts to certify. This isn’t theoretical. Major contractors like Mortenson are already using VR for workforce development and safety training to address labour constraints. ASCE has reported research showing immersive VR training improves learning outcomes compared to traditional paper instruction — even for complex, high-risk construction tasks. Industrial firms use remote assist platforms that let a worker stream their point of view while an expert draws spatial annotations and walks them through the job in real time. That’s the model. Not “unskilled replacing skilled.” But: Skilled experts supervising 10 crews instead of 1. Standard work replacing tribal knowledge. Evidence capture replacing guesswork. In modular, this works especially well because: • Factory stations repeat • Tolerances matter • QA is measurable • Errors are cheaper to catch early Imagine: A new worker installs windows in a modular wall system. They’ve already completed a 10-minute VR module showing: – Correct flashing sequence – Air barrier continuity – Common failure modes On the floor, they follow AR step prompts: 1. Sealant bead spec 2. Fastener pattern 3. Torque confirmation 4. Photo capture If they’re unsure, a certified envelope expert joins remotely, annotates directly in their field of view, and signs off digitally. That expert might supervise 5–10 stations at once. That’s not fantasy. That’s process engineering applied to construction. Will this replace licensed electricians and plumbers? No. But can it: • Shorten onboarding time • Improve first-pass yield • Reduce rework • Retain semi-retired experts as remote QA leads • Open pathways for underemployed workers to skill up into certified trades Absolutely. The real constraint isn’t technology. It’s whether we’re willing to redesign how construction knowledge flows. If we keep thinking “site-first, trades-first,” we stay stuck. If we think “process-first, expert-amplified,” we unlock scale. The housing crisis will not be solved with yesterday’s labour model. It will be solved with systems thinking. #ModularConstruction #WorkforceDevelopment #SkilledTrades #ConstructionInnovation #AffordableHousing

🚀 From Boardrooms to Holo-Rooms: The Next Leap in Collaboration Imagine standing inside an offshore oil platform in the North Sea… while sitting in your control room in India. No travel. No downtime. No “Can you share your screen?” frustrations. That’s the power of Holo-Collaboration Workspaces — immersive AR/VR environments powered by holographic digital twins, where global teams interact with live operational data as if they’re physically on-site. 💡 Why enterprises are paying attention: Shell uses VR collaboration for remote equipment inspections, reducing offshore travel costs by 45%. Airbus employs mixed reality to assemble aircraft parts with remote guidance, cutting production errors by up to 30%. Ford uses AR workspaces for global design reviews, accelerating prototype cycles by 25%. 📊 The business impact: 30–40% faster maintenance resolutions (PwC) Up to 50% savings on travel-related operational costs (Deloitte) 20% improvement in cross-site decision-making speed (Capgemini) 🔍 Enterprise use cases: Remote troubleshooting of manufacturing equipment with live IoT overlays Global R&D collaboration on product design Employee onboarding with interactive, real-world simulations ESG monitoring with live environmental impact visuals Key Takeaway: Holo-Collaboration Workspaces are not just a tech upgrade — they’re the new operating system for global teamwork, turning distance into a business advantage. 💭 How would your industry change if your team could be anywhere, in seconds? #DigitalTransformation #Industry40 #AugmentedReality #DigitalTwin #FutureOfWork #Collaboration

Democratizing Mastery via Remote Collaborative VR The next generation of neurosurgeons shouldn't be limited by geography when learning life-saving techniques. As the Empower360 Endowed Chair for Skull Base and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, I've witnessed firsthand how traditional fellowship training creates bottlenecks-brilliant minds waiting months for the right case, the right mentor, the right moment to observe critical procedures. What if we could change that entirely? VR digital twins are transforming how we transfer surgical mastery. Through shared virtual operating rooms, I can now guide a resident in Tokyo through complex cortical mapping while they feel every subtle movement through haptic feedback. A fellow in São Paulo can observe my instrument trajectories in real-time, asking questions and receiving corrections as if we're standing side by side. This isn't just about convenience-it's about standardizing performance globally. When master surgeons can inhabit the same virtual space as trainees anywhere in the world, we accelerate skill development exponentially. Complex cranial procedures that once required years to master can now be practiced safely, repeatedly, with immediate expert guidance. The implications are profound: • Rural hospitals gain access to world-class surgical mentorship  • Training standardization across institutions and continents • Reduced learning curves for high-stakes procedures  • Enhanced patient safety through better-trained surgeons We're not replacing the human element of surgical training-we're amplifying it. Every nuanced technique, every critical decision point, every subtle correction can now reach learners regardless of their physical location. The question isn't whether VR will transform surgical education. It's whether we're ready to embrace a world where surgical mastery isn't confined by borders. What barriers do you see to implementing remote collaborative surgical training in your institution? Hoag Health System Medtronic Surgical Theater Avatar Medical #Neurosurgery #MedicalEducation #VirtualReality #SurgicalTraining #Innovation #MedTech #GlobalHealth #SurgicalExcellence