2024 Industrial IMMERSIVE Wrapped: Our Top Stories for the Year
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As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on a groundbreaking year for industrial immersive technology. From transformative innovations to inspiring stories of how companies are leveraging XR, robotics, and AI to solve real-world challenges, this year has been one for the books.
In this recap, we’re highlighting our most popular articles, covering impactful moments, sessions, and innovations that defined the industrial immersive space in 2024. Whether you’re an XR enthusiast, a robotics pioneer, or simply curious about the future of work, these stories showcase the cutting-edge ideas that are reshaping industries around the globe.
Let’s dive into the highlights of the year that was—and set our sights on the bold possibilities of 2025.
5. How Generative AI is Transforming Predictive Maintenance in Energy
Predictive maintenance took center stage in 2024 as a game-changer for the energy sector, blending artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to tackle critical challenges in equipment reliability. A standout advancement in this field was the incorporation of generative AI, which emerged as a transformative solution for enhancing data quality and model reliability.
Generative AI addresses common hurdles like data gaps and inconsistencies by creating synthetic datasets, enabling better training for ML models even in the face of limited or noisy real-world data. This technology also supports anomaly detection, scenario simulation, and data standardization, ensuring predictive maintenance systems are both accurate and scalable.
By democratizing access to advanced maintenance capabilities, generative AI is leveling the playing field for smaller energy companies, empowering them to reduce downtime, optimize operations, and extend asset lifespans. The impact of generative AI on predictive maintenance in 2024 signals a promising future for more reliable and efficient energy operations.
4. A Closer Future: New Technologies for Human Connection
At Industrial IMMERSIVE Week 2024, Dan Nieves of Meta captivated the audience with his session, "A Closer Future: New Technologies for Human Connection." He explored the transformative potential of mixed reality, artificial intelligence (AI), and innovative form factors, emphasizing their role in revolutionizing how we connect and work.
Nieves reflected on past technological milestones, underscoring how paradigm shifts often feel sudden at their tipping point. He highlighted businesses' need to anchor strategies in customer needs while embracing new technologies to stay competitive.
The session showcased compelling statistics and success stories, such as Duke Energy and Mortenson, who are leveraging immersive technologies for training and efficiency. Nieves predicted that by the decade’s end, mixed and augmented reality will seamlessly integrate into daily workflows, transforming industries like technician training and industrial design.
Nieves also introduced photorealistic avatars, offering a glimpse into the next evolution of virtual collaboration. He concluded by emphasizing the need for partnerships to unlock the full potential of these technologies, inspiring attendees to collaborate in shaping the future of work and connection.
3. Unlocking the Potential of Digital Twins
Digital twins have evolved from concept to cornerstone, revolutionizing industries through efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. Hexagon’s Digital Twin Industry Report offers a deep dive into this transformative technology, drawing insights from 660 senior leaders across 11 industries.
The report reveals overwhelming confidence in digital twins: 96% of leaders recognize their benefits, with nearly half citing operational efficiency and proactive problem-solving as key gains. The financial impact is undeniable, with 92% of organizations tracking ROI reporting returns above 10%. Sustainability also takes center stage, as digital twins contribute to an average 15% reduction in carbon emissions.
While skepticism persists among non-users, Hexagon’s findings highlight a stark reality-expectation gap. Current users report significant gains in collaboration and problem-solving, far surpassing non-users’ expectations. This suggests the true potential of digital twins becomes apparent only through implementation.
Hexagon’s report underscores that digital twins are no longer optional but essential, positioning them as a strategic imperative for efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
2. Immersive Technologies in Industrial Enterprises
The VR/AR Association's whitepaper, The Power of Immersion, highlights how extended reality (XR)—encompassing VR, AR, and MR—is transforming industrial sectors like manufacturing and oil and gas. XR enhances training by creating safe, immersive environments, improves workplace safety with real-time guidance, and boosts operational efficiency, reducing training time by 75% and rework by 40%.
Companies like ExxonMobil and Nestle Purina showcase its success, using VR for safety training and virtual factory tours to cut costs and increase productivity. XR also attracts younger, tech-savvy talent, positioning industries for a safer, more innovative future.
And for our top article of 2024…it’s a tie!
1a. Industrial AI: A Pivotal Moment
Honeywell's Industrial AI Insights report reveals industrial AI is at a pivotal moment, akin to the early internet era. AI’s transformative potential is undeniable, with key findings including:
82% of AI leaders see their organizations as pioneers or early adopters
91% discovered unplanned use cases during AI implementation
Challenges include compatibility with existing equipment (63%) and resource justification (48%)
Honeywell outlines three focus areas for AI success:
Data: Leverage vast datasets for optimization, as seen in Honeywell UOP's oil refining analysis
Design: Integrate AI into physical and technological infrastructure
People: Augment human roles, upskill workforces, and address labor shortages
AI’s path to autonomy requires strategic steps tailored to each organization, unlocking efficiency, safety, and innovation across industries.
1b. Navigating Business Transformation with Digital Twins in Oil and Gas
Digital twins are reshaping the oil and gas industry by combining data, technology, and business processes to tackle complex challenges. Success hinges on aligning digital transformation efforts with enterprise strategies and ensuring accurate, reliable data through robust change management practices.
Key Elements for Effective Digital Twins
Strategic Alignment: Integrate planning, operations, and emergency preparedness to maintain accurate data and seamless communication
Technology Selection: Incorporate advanced tools like reality capture (LiDAR), BIM, and gaming platforms for detailed visualization and simulation
AI and Automation: Leverage AI/ML for predictive insights, operational simulations, and efficiency gains
With strategic implementation, digital twins can transform operational hurdles into competitive advantages, offering a clear path to innovation and sustainability in the oil and gas sector.
Thanks to Kelly Watt, Co-Founder of Digital Twin Consulting, for this article submission.
Wrapping Up 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, our top Industrial IMMERSIVE articles highlight the transformative power of technology in reshaping industries. From the integration of AI in industrial workflows to the advancement of XR learning, digital twins, and robotics, these innovations signal an exciting era of growth and possibility. Each topic underscores the importance of strategic alignment, innovative thinking, and the human-technology collaboration essential to navigating this evolving landscape.
By staying informed and adaptable, industry leaders and professionals can harness these groundbreaking advancements to drive efficiency, enhance safety, and achieve sustainable success. As we look ahead, the lessons and insights shared this year pave the way for continued innovation in 2025 and beyond.
Do you have something we should write about in 2025? Tell us using the form at the bottom of our About page.
You can see the top tech & demos and learn more about what’s really working to align XR, digital twins, reality capture, AI with industrial business needs, at Industrial IMMERSIVE 2025, March 3-4 in Houston, Texas!
