An ontology-based, general-purpose and Industry 4.0-ready architecture for supporting the smart operator (Part II – Virtual Reality case)

The ongoing transformation of the manufacturing sector towards Industry 4.0 is driven by the increasing importance of new technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Digital Twins (DTs). VR enables immersive and interactive experiences, while DTs facilitate real-time monitoring and control of manufacturing systems. However, their widespread adoption faces barriers including the lack of ready-to-use applications, interoperability, and the absence of comprehensive platforms. To overcome these challenges, the main purpose of this paper, which is PART II of Longo et al. [1], is to show how the existing “Knowledge on Industry 4.0 for Innovation” (KNOW4I) platform can be exploited in the case of VR. Specifically, by designing and implementing a framework which enables the creation of immersive virtual environments acting as DTs, the authors aim at supporting Smart Operators in monitoring and controlling in real-time complex industrial systems. The case study conducted in the steel industry confirms the practical application of the KNOW4I VR capabilities and demonstrates the immersive and realistic experience provided by the VR environment, enabling operators to easily monitor and control in real-time industrial processes. Finally, the analysis of end user experience within the presented case study highlights the effectiveness and usability of the proposed solution.