From Research to Service: Exploring AR/VR in the Industrial Context

The three-year industrial doctoral work represents a comprehensive exploration into the innovation and transformative potential of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies within the industrial landscape. In line with the Faber project1, the industrial doctoral program aims to promote innovation by collaborating with companies such as SmartOperations2. The main aim was to enhance SmartOperations' services, support the researcher's development, and increase the company's visibility. The research culminated in the creation of a sophisticated Service developed in three distinct phases, briefly mentioned below: exploration, preliminary development, and development with a focus on market integration. The three phases of the research are: • Exploration Phase: initiating with an exhaustive literature review and the foundational development of a conceptual model, this phase aimed to encapsulate influential factors guiding the successful adoption of AR and VR technologies within enterprises. The conceptual model laid the theoretical groundwork for subsequent phases, providing a roadmap for practical development. • Preliminary Development Phase: a significant shift to practical development occurred in this phase, where the focus turned to creating immersive AR and VR experiences aligned with insights from the conceptual model. Serving as a bridge between theory and practice, these experiences set the stage for the subsequent Development and Go-To-Market Phase. • Development and Go-To-Market Phase: in this pivotal phase, the research delved into the theoretical underpinnings of various business conditions, culminating in the refinement of an AR/VR Service. Through intricate analyses of distinctive business conditions, customized solutions were crafted to address diverse corporate needs. This phase epitomized the convergence of theory and practicality, resulting in a Service poised to reshape how businesses leverage AR and VR technologies. Looking ahead, the vision encompasses an expanded corporate portfolio, strategic collaborations, and an unwavering commitment to continuously enhance the user experience. The research aspiration is to remain at the forefront of the dynamic technology landscape, delivering cutting-edge AR and VR services in tune with evolving corporate requirements. In summary, this research aims to disseminate knowledge about Augmented and Virtual Reality technological innovation. It results in an innovative service empowering SmartOperations with the knowledge to enhance their services using immersive technologies effectively.