The importance of automation simulation in modern society is the fact that it helps manufacturers identify the most suitable technique to adopt in making something without having to make a prototype and carry out a bunch of tests.

There has emerged the fact that if and when industries seek ways of increasing efficiency, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are breakthroughs when included.

These technologies are used to enhance the concept of automation simulation and introduce considerable positive changes to an organization’s operations such as efficiency, safety, and cost.

Turning now to the research question that is: consequently this article seeks to express how VR and AR influence the area of automation simulation.

Regarding VR and AR in automation simulation, its advantages are as follows:

Improved Training and Education:

The first benefit arises from the training and education areas. Sit-down training and other conventional methods can prove to be ineffective, boring, expensive, and time-consuming.

VR and AR therefore provide a form of learning that allows learners to learn by creating virtual learning environments that enhance the learners’ experience depending on their preference while at the same time enhancing knowledge retention and reducing the amount of time that is required to train the learners. For instance, Siemens has embraced VR training where the workers get an opportunity to rehearse various tasks in a risk-free environment since the environment is virtual; thus the performance increases on the real job.  (https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/tecnomatix/digital-twins-ar-vr-bring-simulation-benefits-to-industrial-automation-users/) (https://www.automationalley.com/articles/implementing-augmented-reality-and-virtual-reality-in-advanced-manufacturing

Moreover, as has been mentioned, VR and AR training programs have been proven effective in quite a lot of industries. Boeing and Ford industries in the manufacturing sector have incorporated the use of VR in training the assembly processes and safety measures.

These training and developmental programs are not only helpful in increasing the levels of competency of the workers but also in decreasing the probability of accidents within the workplace.

https://www.automationalley.com/articles/implementing-augmented-reality-and-virtual-reality-in-advanced-manufacturing) (https://www.emersonautomationexperts.com/2019/simulation/creating-business-value-augmented-virtual-reality-technologies/)

Enhanced Design and Prototyping

VR and AR technologies facilitate the stages in which it is possible to design and create prototypes for new products.

What could be done is to give the engineers an interface typically through computers such that they can see their designs and also be able to notice that there is a vice that is correctable.

This minimizes the consumption of the physical prototypes leading to reduced expenditure while at the same time fast-tracking the market time.

An example of such an application is the implementation of VR in Ford’s production line. Therefore, engineers apply VR to evaluate numerous design possibilities and make decisions about design and interaction with objects during real-time communication and cooperation.

Hence, product quality has been enhanced and considerable costs have been reduced.

Moreover, it means that, using AR one can overlay the digital models and objects on physical ones and make changes as well as get feedback in the process of prototypes. (https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/solutions/industry-4-0/simulation-augmented-virtual-reality).

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

VR and AR have remarkable implications for automation simulation where companies can get back great results on efficient production strategies, allocation of resources, and minimized amount of out-of-order times.

With the help of such a simulation, different companies can define problem areas that might appear in a production setting and find ways to work them out before they happen.

For instance, digital twins which are virtual copies of the physical systems allow the perseverance of the supervising and enhancement of the production lines making the process more productive and affordable.

(https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/tecnomatix/digital-twins-ar-vr-bring-simulation-benefits-to-industrial-automation-users/) (https://control.com/latest/data-analytics-simulation/augmented-virtual-reality/)

Some examples from business are General Electric’s application of digital twins in tracking and enhancing their production line. Through using VR and AR, GE has obtained a large improvement in efficiency, a decrease in maintenance cost, and a decreasing trend in production downtime.

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Reduced risk and increased safety and well-being of persons exercising in the facility.

Another benefit of VR and AR in the simulation of automation is the improvement of safety and risk management.

Such technologies assist in the evaluation of various risks and the planning in case of an occurrence of risks thereby allowing the enhancement of strategies towards preventing risks that may exist in a business.

For example, the object allows training the workers in situations that can be potentially hazardous, which provides real-life practice without actual dangers.

Another benefit is that AR can give workers on the shop floor and necessary safety information and directions at the same time.

With the help of digital augmentation and mapping of the environment, AR assists the employees in completing the intricate processes and avoids the risks.

This has been especially effective in areas such as oil and gas in which risks including accidents are very much around.

Shell integrated AR in safety training which has led to reduced accidents and better safety standards in industries.

Cost Savings and ROI

The use of VR and AR in automation simulation leads to the saving of important costs, hence granting high ROI. Due to an increased rate of execution, a lesser number of mistakes, and equipment unavailability, these technologies decrease the operational cost.

For instance, through the application of VR in training and design, physical prototypes and on-site training are eliminated resulting in considerable cuts in costs. (https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/solutions/industry-4-0/simulation-augmented-virtual-reality) (https://control.com/latest/data-analytics-simulation/augmented-virtual-reality/).

Also, due to the effectiveness of the VR and AR, the productivity levels receive a boost hence a higher return on investment. Some companies such as Lockheed Martin have claimed to save millions of dollars by using VR in the design and production of their products.

Future Developments and Trends

The future of VR and AR in automating simulation is looking bright with such enhancements and more trends in the developmental line sighted in the market.

Consequently, haptic feedback as the sense of touch in VR and artificial intelligence-based uses of AR will improve the effect and the applicability of the technologies.

(https://control.com/latest/data-analytics-simulation/augmented-virtual-reality/).

There are also new trends that recently have appeared; mixed reality (MR) is a combination of both augmented and virtual reality that allows the creation of a digital world that can be transformed into real life. It is hence expected that this trend will create new possibilities for cooperation, designing, and training in terms of VR and AR more profound integration in industrial contexts. (https://www.automationalley.com/articles/implementing-augmented-reality-and-virtual-reality-in-advanced-manufacturing).

Conclusion

Automation simulation using Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) has been highly advantageous in training, design, and increased efficiency in safety, and reduction of costs.

These technologies give users an amazing opportunity to interactively learn and understand difficult automation procedures as well as their practical application. As opposed to other techniques that may only install theoretical knowledge in the minds of the workers, the use of the VR and AR systems ensures that the employees are given practical simulations where they can be trained, thereby producing a high return on excellence and low incidents of error.

The use of VR and AR technologies will only increase in the future, which, in turn, suggests continued progress and development across the industry.

Organizations that implement these technologies would place themselves in a better position than their competitors given they will be in a position to cut some of the time needed for different activities.

Furthermore, the chance to check the visualizations and experiment with designs within a virtual environment helps to save time and optimize the results of the work which demonstrates better products as well as more effective methods for creating them.

The aspects of safety are also one of the major strengths of VR and AR. Through virtual simulations of various circumstances, worker safety can be augmented during training to increase the safety of organizations to a large extent. Also, the benefits of saving on materials that are not used, cutting down on errors that can be costly, and efficient training can be considerable.

As a result of these, it is recommended that companies that want to remain relevant in the market incorporate the use of VR and AR in automation simulation as a way of enjoying the above benefits. Through the application of these tools in their operations, organizations can be able to establish effective, safe, and cheaper methods of production hence catering to the ever-growing market and achieving organizational growth and sustainability in the digital age.