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Taking Autonomous Mobile Robots and Humans Into the Industrial Metaverse: An Empirical Study in the Automotive Industry

Authors:
Taru Hakanen
Jaakko Karjalainen
Petri Tikka
Marko Lepola
Markus Heikkilä

Keywords: Autonomous mobile robot; industrial metaverse; extended reality; virtual reality; digital twin

Abstract:
This paper provides empirical insights into a new emerging robot-related trend, in which Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are used for building an industrial metaverse. The aims of this study were to a) develop a technical solution for AMR-enabled metaverse creation, b) to test and demonstrate the solution in a real industrial case, and c) to identify future “factory metaverse” concepts within the automotive industry. This paper presents the new solution combining an AMR-enabled digital shadow (point cloud) creation, transfer of the point cloud to an eXtended Reality (XR) platform, and data visualisation, audio and multi-user interaction in the virtual factory metaverse. The solution was tested and demonstrated in Valmet Automotive’s Innovation Center in Finland. Potential future use cases and concepts were identified through a qualitative case study (n=36). The solution enables remote and multi-user situational awareness and collaboration. Potential use cases for the factory metaverse include, e.g., factory cell and work planning, remote technical support, and safety trainings.

Pages: 18 to 24

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2024

Publication date: March 10, 2024

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-3913

ISBN: 978-1-68558-140-4

Location: Athens, Greece

Dates: from March 10, 2024 to March 14, 2024