TUM iwb Transforms Industry Partnerships with VR Showcase
Manufacturing
Key takeaways
The Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb) at TUM School of Engineering and Design in Garching, near Munich, sought to modernize its approach in attracting industrial partners by leveraging Virtual Reality (VR). Traditionally, showcasing their extensive test facility to potential partners was costly, time-intensive, and limited by logistical and security constraints. To address these challenges, iwb collaborated with VRdirect to develop a comprehensive VR tour, replicating their entire test field digitally.
This innovative VR solution effectively recreated the industrial hall and its various research setups, showcasing specialized areas such as Battery Production, Sustainable Production, Machine Tools, Robotics, and Additive Manufacturing. The virtual tour provided a realistic experience of the facility's capabilities, offering an immersive exploration that was previously inaccessible to many due to security protocols.
Key achievements of this initiative include significant resource conservation by reducing the need for physical tours, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and cutting expenses. The VR tour also improved accessibility, allowing potential partners from around the world to virtually visit the facility without the limitations of travel or safety requirements. This accessibility not only expanded their reach but also facilitated initial engagements that led to further discussions and site visits.
Moreover, the VR project promoted enhanced collaboration by enabling iwb to effectively communicate its research strengths and organizational structure. It provided a detailed introduction to ongoing research initiatives and areas of expertise, fostering a deeper understanding and interest among potential partners.
Beyond streamlining operational processes and enhancing collaboration rates, this VR initiative exemplifies how technology and innovation can transform traditional approaches in industry-academic partnerships. It demonstrates the potential of VR to revolutionize research facility tours, making complex industrial environments more accessible, engaging, and informative to a global audience.
