FEATURE
The industrial metaverse
EXCITING TIMES FOR THE METAVERSE EXCITING TIMES FOR THE METAVERSE
of the internet with foundational standards
Here, Tom Cash, director of industrial parts supplier Foxmere, explains the computational, connectivity, interoperability and regulatory challenges of the metaverse, while getting pretty excited about the whole thing!
I
n July 2023, Siemens invested €500M in a new technology campus in Erlangen, Germany to help develop its vision of the industrial metaverse. The company intends
to create a real-time, photorealistic virtual representation of the world, where AI helps to But is that really all that new? Haven’t we virtual commissioning for more than a decade? the industrial digital realm. The company wants to leverage AI to mere duplication of physical systems in the virtual world. Instead, it involves creating a dynamic, intelligent ecosystem that can revolutionise manufacturing processes. Whether this investment will come to pass
remains uncertain. However, one thing for sure is that the companies actively engaged in developing metaverse hardware, software and when transforming traditional industries. The metaverse concept aims to create precise simulations of industrial equipment, where it’s For example, accurate simulations of factory equipment would allow manufacturing and without disruption, while improving employee training.
automationmagazine.co.uk
As with the consumer vision of a 3D internet, the industrial metaverse concept potential. According to a new report released National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAMs’) digital transformation division, and Deloitte, 92 per cent of manufacturing executives say they are experimenting with or implementing at least one metaverse-related use case. existing technologies and systems when developing the industrial metaverse. Here, data preparation and transformation within complex
already grappling with integrating systems across multiple plants, let alone the advent of industrial metaverse initiatives, which is heightening the demand and complexity technologies.
systems. Picture a high-tech factory using digital for predictive maintenance purposes too. AI could analyse data from the sensors on physical machinery and virtual counterparts, and when AI detects a potential issue, it would automatically schedule maintenance. Without getting too excited too soon, ensuring
challenges. It requires widespread agreement on
facto standardisation complex. Therefore, the rapidly evolving metaverse space requires regulatory standards to ensure In Europe, the Digital Services Act (DSA) competition and prevent anti-competitive practices among digital platforms. and services, so systems and processes can connect and exchange data seamlessly. Regulatory standards are typically industry associations and international community could lead to the development players.
One way that supports industry software model where the source code
upgrade their current processes in the
Foxmere
foxmere.com/en
Automation | February 2025 31
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