Could engineers work in the metaverse?

Abstract

This article discusses the metaverse as a 3D immersive professional world for engineers and technologists to work together in real-time. Industry applications include automobile and aerospace manufacturing and production processes, medical/surgical technology and training, and manufacturing, product design and product development in general. Topics covered include virtual collaboration and 3D simulation, physical prototype designs, virtual factories, digital twins, virtual robotics, virtual design testing, implant and prothesis design, 3D printing (including organs), advanced software, haptic investment, augmented reality devices, virtual studio tools, XR (extended reality) and VR, computational modelling and immersive design tools. It also looks at the challenges of the engineering metaverse including the integration of different software, connecting engineering tools and processes and security and privacy issues.