The Industrial Metaverse: A Catalyst for Digital Transformation

Siemens has sponsored this post. Written by Dale Tutt, Vice President of Industry Strategy, Siemens Digital Industries Software.

Companies are currently facing a period of increased pressure, uncertainty, and opportunity across industries. The rise of smart and connected products, sustainable solutions, and challenges in supply chain management, workforce dynamics, and sustainable innovation are driving the need for innovation in both operations and market offerings. To thrive in the future, companies must become more resilient, agile, and adaptive to dynamic conditions through digital transformation.

In a series of articles authored by Dale Tutt and colleagues from Siemens Digital Industries Software, technologies such as the comprehensive digital twin (CDT), software and systems engineering (SSE), information and operational technology (IT/OT) convergence, and artificial intelligence (AI) have been explored as facets of digital transformation. Mastering and synthesizing these technologies can lead to higher levels of digital transformation maturity, enabling capabilities like AI-powered generative design and closed-loop optimization.

The industrial metaverse (IM) is highlighted as potentially the most transformational technology in how companies conduct their business. By combining the physical basis of the comprehensive digital twin with impressive visualizations of the metaverse, the IM creates a shared and immersive environment that fosters faster learning, easier understanding of design concepts, and driving innovation for the future.

Why the industrial metaverse is more than CAD in VR

The IM offers high-fidelity and real-time visualization of systems in immersive environments, changing how products are designed, manufactured, and maintained. It is a physics-based virtual environment that allows evaluation, analysis, and prediction of behavior based on deterministic models. The IM leverages augmented and virtual reality to provide users with a holistic assessment of systems or products.

This virtual environment rooted in physical reality offers intuitive conceptualization, design, and detailed engineering of complex products and systems. Rapid design iteration in the virtual world can uncover problems early, leading to time and cost savings. The IM ingests data from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive view, enabling better decision-making.

Reach the industrial metaverse through digital transformation

To realize its full potential, the IM must go beyond visualizing the digital twin and incorporate real-world physics and operational data. Cloud computing can support the IM by enabling physical simulations and immersive visuals, enhancing its value in the design and development process.

By leveraging real-world physics and operational data, the IM can create a shared and immersive environment for faster learning, easier design understanding, and driving innovation. Companies embracing digital transformation will be well-equipped to leverage the potential of the industrial metaverse and other key technologies to overcome challenges and stay ahead of the competition.

This article concludes a five-part series on digital transformation. Explore the previous articles to delve into the power of digital transformation and key technology trends driving innovation.