Industrial Automation Magazine India

Product development companies are adopting AR/MR experiences

Published on : Friday 07-01-2022

Atul Marwaha, Executive Vice President, DesignTech Systems Pvt Ltd

How did the industry fare in 2021 after the initial impact of Covid caused widespread disruption in 2020?
Industry started showing signs of recovery and revival in 2021. We could see offices reopened, even though in limited capacity, factories and manufacturing facilities started functioning, the hospitality industry too picked up the lost momentum, which are all healthy signs for the economy. The threat is still far from over, with new variants mutating and spreading, we all still have to work with utmost precaution. But with the majority of the population vaccinated, the intensity and spread might be curbed to a large extent. All these factors will help in bringing the economy and industry back on the path of progress.
 
What were the changes and new technologies businesses widely adopted in 2021?
It is not a surprise that the industry adopted Digital practices to deal with the prevailing circumstances. May it be for discussions with online meeting platforms, placing a bigger focus on digital marketing, to adopting smart digital technologies like Augmented Reality and IIoT for product design and manufacturing operational efficiency. The product engineering industry also widely adopted cloud solutions for managing their product development processes that gives flexibility of access from different locations. Right from scanning the menus at restaurants, ordering groceries and medicines, to managing product development processes and manufacturing, individuals, businesses, and industries are largely adopting digital solutions to conduct operations. In these paradigm shifting circumstances, digitalisation has become imperative.
 
With new strains of the virus appearing periodically, is the WFH culture here to stay and become a permanent feature?
Even in the post pandemic and Covid-free environment, people want flexibility at work. This is now the new normal or accepted pattern of work. People want to be able to work from home when they feel the need to do so. While everyone is juggling to achieve work-life balance, offering employees the liberty to work from home, can help them take care of their personal responsibilities while still meeting their professional commitments. So this flexibility of place-of-operation/work is here to stay.
 
How is the outlook for 2022, given that a lot of lessons have been learned during the last two years?
2022 looks promising. While the virus is mutating and new variants are still spreading, but it is reducing in intensity. While we all still need to carry on with our lives with care and caution, but now at the work environment we can expect to see more stability, continuity, and a steady pace of progress. The world has adapted to the new normal, and it will function within these new parameters.
 
What are the technology trends most likely to dominate in 2022? 
Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality and Virtual Reality technologies are definitely making an impact and difference as an enhanced approach of communication and content dissemination. Product development companies are adopting Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality experiences for product design review and information sharing, training, machine commissioning, servicing, and also for Marketing. With Companies going Digital, Augmented Reality offers companies an approach to communicate with greater visualisation, precision, and detailing. With only a tablet or smartphone, companies can access the digital content with enhanced and immersive experience to communicate and share the information. It thus makes for a great Marketing tool, and is equally effective as a mode of communication for product design reviews, product demos, training, operations and servicing. We at DesignTech, have set-up a dedicated function/department to provide Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality Services. We have scaled up our capabilities to develop impressive, engaging, and greatly detailed experiences for even the most complex machines and systems. The overseas companies are increasingly exploring and availing these services.
  
Atul Marwaha is the Executive VP – International Business with DesignTech Systems Pvt Ltd, a leading engineering services and solutions company and is responsible for driving the overall business strategy for the organisation in the US, European and South East Asian market. He has over 20 years of experience in working with the SME segment across different industry verticals ranging from automotive, suppliers, machinery and equipment, heavy engineering etc.
 
An engineer by qualification, Atul has spent time on all aspects of manufacturing including shop-floor, design, toolroom and has worked with numerous suppliers across North India to set up and implement digital design and manufacturing initiatives. Prior to his current assignment, Atul was the head of the technical support division providing implementation services to organisations for state-of-the-art CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM technologies. He specialises in computer aided manufacturing and was awarded directors gold medal during his engineering studies. He has made several presentations at various forums on the advantages of technology in manufacturing and its implications.