Extended Reality Methods for Transdisciplinary Asynchronous Engineering

Abstract

In the evolving landscape of engineering collaboration, Extended Reality (XR) demonstrates transformative potential for transdisciplinary work. XR approaches are promising in enhancing flexibility and efficiency in diverse, global work settings by facilitating remote and asynchronous collaboration. This paper introduces XR methods designed to address challenges such as communication gaps and project misalignment in asynchronous collaboration. Building upon our previous work, which introduced Avatar Replay for non-present users, this paper presents an extension that enables interaction with these users through their avatars. This development promotes a more dynamic and responsive approach to asynchronous collaboration. Additionally, the paper shares insights from a test scenario using a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) with an improved prototype in a transdisciplinary guidance scenario. The findings of this research highlight the significant potential of XR in enhancing collaboration and understanding across disciplines, particularly in asynchronous collaboration between experts and non- experts in the engineering domain. This enhanced interaction across realities not only promises increased societal acceptance of immersive technologies but also signifies a transformative shift in the way we work together, seamlessly blending virtual and real-life interactions.