Abstract

This paper explores the transformative potential of Extended Reality (XR)—encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR)—when integrated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in industrial and engineering applications. XR technologies enable businesses to visualize, interact, and optimize product designs, training processes, and customer support functions.

Key applications include:

• Technical training: VR provides immersive, safe environments for training employees on procedures, improving knowledge retention and efficiency. AI enhances the process with troubleshooting support and navigation assistance.
• Technical support: AR overlays digital instructions on real-world environments, aiding technicians in maintenance and assembly tasks. AI improves this by offering contextual assistance and simplifying documentation.
• Design review and product presentation: VR facilitates collaborative design reviews, enabling teams to evaluate products in various configurations before physical prototypes are made, which accelerates the development process.
• Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA): VR supports "lightweight" DFMA, helping identify design flaws and optimize assembly processes in a virtual space, reducing costs and time compared to traditional methods.

AI integration improves XR by enabling intelligent features like environmental mapping, voice command processing, and personalized content delivery, making interfaces more intuitive and applications context-aware. The partnership between Vection Technologies and EnginSoft aims to develop X-RHEA, a solution combining VR and AI to enhance engineering simulations and create compelling customer experiences by visualizing complex technical data. In conclusion, XR and AI integration is reshaping industries by streamlining workflows, enhancing collaboration, and enabling better decision-making, which ultimately boosts productivity, reduces costs, and fosters innovation.