Future Internet-based Collaboration in Factory Planning

As the design, development and execution of manufacturing processes continue to spread out across the world, globally distributed enterprises demand new paradigms. Distance collaboration tools are becoming increasingly important in order to maintain synergies between spatially distributed entities enabling effective cooperation over large distances. Virtual Reality (VR) technologies offer unique possibilities for the exchange of planning stages as well as for the identification and collective resolution of problems. This paper discusses the requirements of manufacturing engineers for distance collaboration tools and the challenges associated with the creation of such systems through a working prototype implemented in the VirCA NET framework. This pilot solution is a novel application in the field of VR-enhanced spatially distributed collaboration via shared virtual spaces using immersive visualization. Typical scenarios are provided to highlight the capabilities offered by VirCA NET. The paper identifies and classifies the challenges of distance collaboration from a cognitive infocommunications (CogInfoCom) perspective. The challenges are presented with respect to the theoretical background of CogInfoCom engines and channels emphasising the link between virtual collaboration and the aim of CogInfoCom.