We travelled to Germany to demonstrate the Valkyrie Alpha devkit
Live demonstrations can be nerve-wracking, always a novel experience for those involved!
I travelled to Germany with Dr Ivan Isakov to demonstrate the Valkyrie Alpha devkit and showcase it’s potential for applications in industrial workplaces. The setting was magnificent; Evonik hosted the trade conference in the Zollverein, a disused coal mine outside of Essen. The UNESCO site is beautifully preserved with industrial architecture expressing the functional ideals of the New Objectivity and Bauhaus movements.
This was a fitting locale for exploring technological advancements in industry, surrounded by the machinery of a bygone era we heard talks from several experts discussing the ramifications of ‘Industry 4.0’. Our very own Ivan gave a talk on the benefits of an XR enabled workplace, introducing our tech as a means of extending the capabilities of skilled technicians.
I learned a lot from the trip, not least that the opportunity for XR in Industry is enormous. There was genuine excitement around our kit, however it is also clear that changes in practice happen very slowly in a sector where innovation is expensive. We also realised that we need to do more work on sizing; some of the more muscular attendees struggled to fit into the Alpha!
I’m looking forward to further exploring XR in industry. Our hosts were keen to find some future collaboration, and I’d be delighted to return to the dramatic architectural vistas of Westphalia.