To leverage data gained through digital transformation, industrial companies must address the methods they use to deliver and consume information. The HMI visualisation hardware and software used in many industrial applications is well suited for many tasks. However, within a connected digital enterprise, additional visualisation tools will be needed to accommodate the special requirements of all roles, especially the remote or unskilled worker. Augmented Reality (AR), which is often used for maintenance applications and virtual reality (VR), which is often used for training and simulation applications, offer unique capabilities that can address many of these requirements for engineers, operators, and technicians, helping to bridge the gap between skilled and unskilled workers with real world experience.
To realise the full potential of visualisation to support digital transformation in industry in the future, AR and VR should begin to be integrated with HMI Software and become part of the Meta-visualization experience. When packaged with IIoT and analytics, Meta-visualization tools will offer the potential to provide users with immersive experiences, real-time contextualised data, and role-related information to help users execute their daily tasks quickly, accurately, and effectively.