Q&NOVEMBER A: X R T ECHNOLOGY
2019
Q&A:
Reality Check
An expert panel discusses current and future
commercial trends in the rapidly growing field of XR
From the operating theatre to the
factory floor, XR technologies
(which include augmented,
virtual and mixed reality systems)
are increasingly changing the way
that specialists work and helping
to open up new levels of capability. The
Engineer put together a panel of experts
to discuss the trends and technologies
that are shaping this rapidly advancing
field.
Meet the experts
Richard Vincent - CEO and co-founder,
FundamentalVR
Paul Haimes - VP European Technical,
PTC
Leila Martine - UK product marketing
director of Mixed Reality, Microsoft
May 2020 / www.theengineer.co.uk 30
PH: Within the last 12 or 18 months,
we have seen bigger companies
move from a more general level of
assessing technologies, such as proof
of technology and proof of value,
to scaling AR (augmented reality)
to suit their requirements. This is
also supported by the continued
development on the hardware front,
such as HoloLens and RealWare
technologies – there is a sustained
advancement in terms of the hardware
and, although there are still some
limitations, they’re nothing stopping
companies deploying at scale now.
RV: In the healthcare space, we are
seeing XR implemented in several
ways from medical training all the way
through to patient care. This includes
using VR (virtual reality) and AR to
train and educate medical students as
well as help physicians and surgeons
maintain and hone their skills. Our
platform Fundamental Surgery is an
example of this as it lets trainees and
surgeons practice their skills through
VR and haptics anytime and anywhere.
The use of XR allows companies like
ours to scale training efforts fast,
provide detailed insight into skills
development and deliver remote, mass
multiuser experiences. We are also
seeing XR being used in the OR for the
development of surgical planning and
for patient treatment to help reduce
stress and execute treatment plans.
Can you give us an example of an
innovative application of XR that you or
a customer has made?
PH: We are seeing companies wanting
to push the boundaries of what is
possible. That’s particularly the case
of augmented reality, whereby bespoke
assembly AR experiences, based on a
PLM managed configuration context,
allows customers to build experiences
that are tuned to the product variant
that they are making – this is one of
the most exciting areas that we are
developing our technology towards.
A good example of this is PTC’s
customer Volvo, who, within its truck
engine quality control and assurance
process, are exploring the use of PTC’s
Vuforia Augmented Reality Suite
at the inspection end of the engine
build line to track any quality issues.
andrew wade reports
One growing
application area
for XR is medical
training. Image:
Fundamental VR
Richard Vincent
CEO and
co-founder,
FundamentalVR
Paul Haimes
VP European
Technical, PTC
Leila Martine
UK product
marketing director
of Mixed Reality,
Microsoft
What are the key current trends in your
area of XR?
LM: As businesses focus on planning
for and adapting to the unprecedented
challenges, we are seeing clear
trends where MR (mixed reality) can
immediately support, including direct
and remote servicing of customers
equipment. In recent months, the
pandemic has brought to light some
of the specific Mixed Reality solutions
that can help solve major business
issues that companies from several
industries are facing. MR is also
giving businesses the opportunity to
rapidly restructure assembly lines
and corresponding re-training of their
workforce, while ensuring the health
and safety of staff.
/www.theengineer.co.uk