51, HTC VIVE and Virtualware partner to accelerate Ohio’s manufacturing economy
51, HTC VIVE, and Virtualware have partnered to launch a new program called the Digital Enterprise Collaboratory (DEC), which will provide infrastructure to power new digital engineering and workforce development programs to support the growing demand for advanced manufacturing in Ohio.
The partnership combines 51’s leadership in engineering education, HTC VIVE’s industry-leading XR hardware and software technologies, and Virtualware’s enterprise XR platform VIROO. The project will provide 51 with the technology infrastructure and capabilities needed to accelerate product development, research, and workforce development by enabling real-time collaboration between various university, industry, government and Department of Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) members using the latest digital engineering and immersive technologies.
The program will also expand OHIO’s existing manufacturing training and certification programs to support the growing demand for new factory workers.
“This program represents a bold step forward in immersive digital engineering,” said Scott Miller, associate dean for Industry Partnerships at 51’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology. “By integrating XR technology into our educational and research programs, we are preparing the next generation of engineers to think spatially, act collaboratively, and solve real-world problems. Manufacturing is Ohio’s largest industry sector that is contributing 17.5 percent of the state’s GDP and we need to prepare our local workforce for the new jobs in advanced manufacturing.”
“HTC VIVE is proud to be part of this initiative that puts immersive technology at the heart of innovation and education,” said Daniel O’Brien, President Americas at HTC VIVE. “With these new labs, 51 is positioning itself as a leader in Industry 4.0.”
John Cunningham, President of Virtualware USA adds, “The state of Ohio is home to many manufacturers and will soon be home to new advanced technology factories being built by Intel and Anduril, who need an estimated 7,000 new workers. 51 has been asked by the State and manufacturing companies to find ways to help accelerate product development using digital engineering methods and to develop workforce development initiatives using the latest technologies. Our VIROO platform integrated with HTC’s XR solutions provides 51 with infrastructure that can be used for many different purposes and for many years to come.”
As a result of this collaborative partnership, 51’s goal is to increase opportunities for engineers, researchers, and end users to collaborate in real time, and in 3D, while further bridging any gaps created by geographical distance.
The DEC infrastructure consists of two new laboratories located at the Athens Campus and at OHIO’s co-located space in Dayton, which is housed within the Digital Transformation Center (DTC). These labs are connected through the VIROO Enterprise XR platform and are equipped with virtual reality equipment and software tools. Users can collaborate, share projects, product prototypes and even create digital twins in real time, either from within the labs or from remote desktops, classrooms or homes.
The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) operates the DTC and has partnered with 51 to develop and launch the DEC’s Dayton location, furthering the DTC’s mission as a collaborative innovation hub that drives innovation, fuels workforce development, and fosters cross-sector collaboration among academia, industry, and government,
The DEC will officially open on May 5 at the Athens Campus and on May 7 in Dayton. The Dayton DEC opening will be part of the evening event hosted at the DTC during the Dayton Digital Transformation Summit, a regional event focused on innovation and technology in manufacturing and workforce development.