Enginuity Future Skills Hub

Engineering and manufacturing is rapidly transforming, making it hard for employers to know what skills they need to keep pace with change. The Enginuity Future Skills Hub aims to demystify the skills, trends and transitions reshaping industries within the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector.

What are immersive technologies?

Immersive technologies can generally be categorised into virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).

Hard hat with integrated augmented reality headset

Immersive technologies explained

How are immersive technologies used?

Virtual reality (VR) immerses users in a computer-generated environment. augmented reality (AR) overlays digital elements on the real world. Mixed reality (MR) blends digital and physical environments, allowing interaction with both.

Immersive technologies can be used for product visualisation, collaboration, quality control, maintenance, warehouse operations, and training across various industries. Examples include:

Visualising digital twins and supporting virtual product demonstrations
Facilitating collaborative design reviews and virtual factory tours
Aiding product assembly and inspections, and maintenance tasks with visual guidance
Assisting in warehouse and logistics operations, including item location and order picking
Training, including employee training on complex machinery, assembly processes, safety protocols, and onboarding new employees.

Benefits of immersive technologies

The applications of immersive technologies in small to medium engineering and manufacturing businesses contribute to enhanced collaboration, improved design processes, and more effective training, ultimately leading to increased efficiency and innovation.

Immersive technologies and Industry 4.0

Immersive technologies are transforming by revolutionising training, design, and collaboration in manufacturing and beyond. They provide immersive and interactive experiences, enabling virtual prototyping, remote assistance, and experiential learning, enhancing productivity, innovation, and agility in the digital era.

Immersive technologies and sustainability

Immersive technologies can contribute to sustainability by reducing the need for physical prototypes, enabling remote collaboration and enhancing training efficiency. This leads to improved use of resources, reduced travel-related emissions, and remote assistance for sustainable operations and workforce development.

What skills might you need?

Skills required for immersive technologies include expertise in 3D modelling, game development engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, and immersive technology hardware and software platforms.

Additional skills required include:
User experience design
Software development
Systems design
User interface design
Innovation
Digital media technologies
Collaboration and partnering
Learning delivery
Influencing
Problem solving

Person wearing hard hat and augmented reality headset

What skills might you need?

Skills required for immersive technologies include expertise in 3D modelling, game development engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, and immersive technology hardware and software platforms.

Additional skills required include:
User experience design
Software development
Systems design
User interface design
Innovation
Digital media technologies
Collaboration and partnering
Learning delivery
Influencing
Problem solving

Who might need them?

Not every employee needs to be an immersive technologies expert. Instead, a cross-functional team with diverse skills can collaborate to leverage immersive technologies effectively in manufacturing and engineering SMEs. Training programs and knowledge sharing can also help employees understand the basics of immersive technologies and how it can benefit their specific roles within the organisation.

Skills might be distributed across various roles, including:

VR developer/programmer
UX/UI designer
Hardware specialist
Manufacturing engineer
Training and development Specialist
Project manager
Quality control specialist
Innovation and research specialist

Useful resources

Dig a bit deeper

A paper that presents industrial Case Studies for digital transformation of engineering processes using the virtual reality technology.

Immersive technologies report

A report by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Visualisation and VR Forum exploring immersive technologies in manufacturing Immersive Technologies in Manufacturing.

Benefits of augmented reality in aerospace

Explore how augmented reality paves the way for more advanced aircraft, efficient production lines, and effective training methods, ultimately leading to safer skies and more remarkable journeys into space.

AR: A game changer for manufacturing

This article explores how virtual reality and augmented reality are transforming the way we manufacture, measure, repair, innovate and collaborate, and how HVM Catapult is leading the way.