51ĀŅĀ×

51ĀŅĀ×ā€™s Digital Enterprise Collaboratory (DEC) is setting a new international standard for digital engineering and workforce development in high-tech manufacturing. 

The DEC recently conducted a landmark virtual reality (VR) collaboration using , Virtualwareā€™s Enterprise XR platform, connecting participants across multiple locations and continents. The demonstration showcased 51ĀŅĀ×ā€™s leadership in advancing digital transformation and supporting Ohioā€™s growing technology economy.

Global reach, real-time collaboration

The event ā€” described by organizers as potentially the first and largest of its kind ā€” linked four physical sites across three countries on two continents for a fully synchronized virtual experience. The Multi-Location Marketing Study was designed to test the VIROO platformā€™s capacity for large-scale, distributed collaboration.

Participants included:

• 51ĀŅĀ× (Athens DEC location)
• DeepSpace Lab, Orlando
• Virtualware Headquarters (Bilbao, Spain)
• Multiple remote users including Virtualwareā€™s Canadian headquarters in Toronto.

Using a mix of XR devices ā€” including HTC Vive Focus Vision, PICO 4, Meta headsets, and desktop interfaces ā€” teams seamlessly switched between multiple virtual environments. The exercise demonstrated how the DECā€™s infrastructure can eliminate geographic barriers and provide students and partners with hands-on experience in advanced collaborative technologies.

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From blueprints to digital twins

The demonstration highlighted several cutting-edge applications of digital engineering:

• Accelerated BIM/CAD design review: Teams imported native Building Information Modeling (BIM) and CAD files directly into VIROO ā€” without extensive preprocessing ā€” to conduct real-time design walkthroughs. Using the Revit model for UCFā€™s new School of Nursing building, participants were able to manipulate virtual assets and interact within the model as if on-site.
• Virtual Commissioning and Digital Twins: This capability demonstrates how digital twins can bridge the gap between design and production, optimizing both efficiency and innovation. The DEC integrated Simumatik, a robotics simulation tool, with VIROO to create a high-fidelity digital twin of a manufacturing line. This integration allows manufacturers to perform virtual commissioning ā€” programming industrial robots and Programmable Logic Controllers offline ā€” saving time and reducing costs by eliminating factory downtime.
• Extended Reality (XR) Innovation: The session concluded with a cinematic mixed reality demonstration that overlaid digital elements within the physical DEC space, illustrating the potential for immersive training and visualization.

Building the workforce of the future

The DECā€™s work directly aligns with 51ĀŅĀ×ā€™s mission to drive economic development across Appalachian Ohio by connecting real industry challenges to student learning experiences.

• ASCENT Program: 51ĀŅĀ× leads the Appalachian Semiconductor Education and Training (ASCENT) Program, an Intel-supported consortium of 13 institutions preparing the specialized workforce needed for semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors, including Intelā€™s new Ohio One facility.
• Curriculum transformation: The University is embedding digital design, modeling, simulation and test capabilities into engineering curricula. As Russ College of Engineering and Technology Dean Patrick Fox noted after experiencing the platform, this technology ā€œbrings abstract concepts to life,ā€ enhancing learning outcomes and preparing students for the future of work.

Amplifying success through strategy

By integrating industry partnerships, advanced research, and experiential learning, the Digital Enterprise Collaboratory is positioning 51ĀŅĀ× at the forefront of global digital engineering ā€” creating a pipeline of highly skilled talent equipped to power the next generation of high-tech manufacturing.